We are here for you!
CMU's Tomlinson Library has reopened, with best-practices in place, in compliance with national and local guidelines.
Remember: When the Library is closed, or if you prefer to work remotely, there are still many ways we can provide you with expert help and services!
Always check the Library website for the latest info about our hours and services.
Get Online Help 24/7
Last-minute citation question? Want help with research? Need to reach us from off-campus? Ask us! You can email us, or chat with a librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from the convenience of your home! This service is staffed by CMU's Librarians but at peak service times or off-hours you may be chatting with a librarian from another academic library.
Librarian Consultations
Our librarians are available for virtual consultations via phone, email, or online (e.g. Zoom).
In-person consultations are also an option (mask required). Get on-the-fly help at the Research Help Desk, or schedule an appointment with one of our librarians.
Online Materials and Tools
CMU's Librarians have even been creating How-to Videos to help guide you through using eBooks, locating streaming media content, and using our databases! These videos, and other resources, can be found on our Library Tools to Get You Through guide.
- Articles & Research: Databases A-Z - We have hundreds of databases that provide access to digital articles, video, and more! Or explore our databases by subject!
- CMU Library OneSearch - Use the filters on the left-hand side of the screen to focus on ebooks, streaming audio or video, and other online resources.
- Course Reserves - CMU Library staff are happy to assist you transitioning your course to online-only for the time being. We can work with you to make sure that required book, book chapter, and other readings are available for students to access electronically from wherever they are. Needs? Questions? Just email our Reserves staff at [email protected]
- Off-Campus Access - If you are not on campus, you can still access our databases and other electronic resources!
- Research Guides - Subject and by Course
Print & Media Materials
Even though we have reopened, we will continue offering our curbside pick-up and material scanning options!- Access to Our Collection: We are open! This means you're welcome to come in (mask required), locate the item(s) you need, and visit Checkout + Reserves to check your item(s) out. We look forward to seeing you -- and your fancy mask!
- Curbside Pick-up:
- Live locally? Still on campus? Curbside pick-up is available for print and media items from our collection. See this page for details and instructions.
- Request Material as Scanned PDFs:
- No matter where you are: You can email or chat with us about your needs. If the print item is in our collection, we can scan chapters or sections as needed. See this page for details and instructions.
- If we don't have the book, we can talk you through requesting chapters be scanned from other libraries.
- Questions? Concerns? Please email us at [email protected]
Prospector Loans
- Loans through Prospector are now up-and-running again!
- If you need assistance finding alternate materials, please consult with our librarians through Ask a Librarian! Email or chat 24/7, or stop by and visit (mask required).
Interlibrary Loan
This service is available for current CMU students, faculty and staff only.- Articles: We can electronically deliver journal articles from the CMU Library collection and from other libraries directly to you at no charge.
- Book chapters: This service is also great for book chapters!
- Physical items (books, DVDs, etc.): We work with libraries around the country to provide access to the books and other physical items you may need.
- For more info visit: Interlibrary loan and resource sharing
Renew Books Online
You can see your checked-out items online - just log into your library account. You will see your active loans displayed on the Loans section. Look for the title you need to renew and click renew. You can also renew all your active loans by selecting Renew All.
- Questions? Please email ([email protected]) or contact us by virtual chat through the Library homepage.
- Log into My Library Account
- Library User Information, including how to renew books online
Returning Materials
Books and media, including Prospector and other Interlibrary Loan materials, may be returned to CMU Library or the book return adjacent to the Library's 24-hour space.
- If an item is due and the borrower does not want to come to campus to return it (due to illness or other extenuating circumstances), they should keep it until they are able to safely return it. If they are charged late fees, they can appeal the fine after it is returned. We understand that this is a special situation, and special considerations will be made.
- Please do not return equipment (laptops, calculators, headphones, etc.) via the book returns. If the library is closed due to unforeseen circumstances when your equipment items are due, please return them to a service desk the next time we are open and we will amend any fines.
- Questions or concerns about accessing or returning materials? Please email ([email protected]) or contact us by virtual chat through the Library homepage.
Contact Us
Have other remote needs? New ideas for how the Libraries can help you from off-campus? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Library Hours: Tomlinson Library offers assistance to patrons virtually through chat, email, Zoom, and Teams. Research Help Desk hours:
- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays
- 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Fridays
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturdays
- 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Sundays
Any changes to operations will be announced on this alert page and on the Library Hours page as campus decisions are made.
- Curbside Pick-up: See this page for details and instructions.
- Research Consultations: You can still meet with a Research Help librarian! This can be done online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, over the phone, and via chat! You can also come into the Library (mask required) to discuss your research assistance needs.
- Special Collections staff are available by appointment only. Please see this page for contact information.
- Study Rooms: Our study rooms can now be reserved using the camera on your phone and QR codes at all the rooms and around the Library. Scan the QR code with your camera to see what rooms are available and reserve your spot!
- Library Classrooms (L-212; L-231) & Conference Room (L-331): Our Library classrooms can now be reserved again at full capacity (each classroom seats 36).
Gifts: Tomlinson Library asks donors to refrain from delivering gifts during this time.
- Mendeley Citation Management Tool Workshops will be held virtually through Zoom! Visit this page to register for one of these sessions today! In the meantime, if you'd like to schedule a 1-on-1 appointment about using Mendeley, reach out to the Library's Head of Access Services & Outreach, Laureen Cantwell ([email protected])
Looking to host an event at the Library?
Explore the Room and Event Space Reservations page, or contact the University Center (UC) Events staff (970.248.1746).