Mission & What We Do

Mission Statement

The University of New England Library Services are central to the intellectual life of the University community. They cultivate a vibrant learning environment by providing access to scholarly collections and resources; by offering services that foster inquiry and independent, life-long learning; by providing welcoming, interactive spaces and infrastructure that enhance the educational experience and support the information needs of the University; and by preserving specific special collections.

Services

We are proud to support our mission by providing access to following services:

Collections

• Over 150 research databases.
• Over 2.3 million book and e-books, 169,000 journal titles and 100,000 films.
• Required textbooks and course reserves.
• Free interlibrary loan services.
• Access to the contents of Maine’s public and academic libraries through MaineCat.

Research Support & Instruction

• Research assistance by live chat, Zoom, email, phone, walk-in or appointment.
• Information literacy instruction.
• Access to and education on the use of primary source materials in our special collections.
• Subject librarians and research by subject guides for each curricular area.
• Help with research skills including resource evaluation, search strategy, citations and the publishing process.
• Open access online publishing and scholarly communications support through DUNE: DigitalUNE.

Library Spaces

• Art Galleries featuring exhibits to support the curriculum and study seating.
• Open guest Wi-Fi network.
• PCs, printers, photocopiers, scanners, fax, and microfilm reader.
• Expansive library hours, including 24/7 study spaces.
• Comfortable, flexible study spaces.
• 15 private/small group study rooms.
• Employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students

Library Contributions

Our librarians are active in state and national library organizations. We support issues of importance to the field of library and information science through professional organization membership, leadership, advocacy and professional development. We participate in:

• American Library Association (ALA)
• American Library Association Leadership Institute
• American Library Association Policy Corps
• Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS)
• Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
• Association for the History of Medicine (AAHM)
• Digital POWRR Institute
• Ex-Libris Users Group of North America (ELUNA)
• Greater Portland Alliance of Colleges and Universities (GPACU)
• Librarians, Archivists, and Museum Professionals in the History of the Health Professions (LAMPHHS)
• LYRASIS
• Maine Archives and Museums (MAM)
• Maine’s Larger Libraries Group
• Maine Library Association
• Medical Library Association (MLA)
• Medical Library Association Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP)
• National Network of Libraries of Medicine/New England Region (NNLM/NER)
• New England Archivists (NEA)
• New England Library Leadership Symposium
• New England Museum Association
• North Atlantic Health Science Libraries (NAHSL)
• Open Education Network
• Society of American Archivists (SAA)