Chat with a Librarian:
Sun: 2030-2200
Mon – Thur: 0900-1100; 1300-1500; 2030-2200
Fri: 0900-1100; 1300-1500
Individual Reference and Research Support:
The USMMA Library offers a variety of individualized reference and research services to all midshipmen, staff, faculty and outside researchers. These services are available via a number of convenient contact methods, i.e., email, phone, in-person, mail, chat, as a formal appointment or informal walk-in.
Research Workshops:
Faculty with classes and other groups have the option of a much more formal class or group experience. The formal class experience includes teaching research, information literacy, and research techniques. The exact topic and techniques taught are extensively modified to the needs of each class or group. Research workshops are only available as formal appointments. For further information and to make an appointment please contact the Reader Services Librarian.
Research Guides:
A research guide or pathfinder is a small collection of resources collected together focusing on a specific topic or theme. Librarians specially select, continuously curate, and annotate each research guide so that they may provide a good starting point for conducting research or exploring further information into a topic. Research guides on general topics are already constructed for use by the community. Bespoke research guides on almost any topic or theme may be constructed upon request. Please contact the Reader Services Librarian for further information.
Borrowing:
All students, faculty, and staff are eligible to register for a Library account and receive a Library card. This entitles you to borrow most physical materials from the Library. There is no upper limit on the amount of physical material that may be borrowed. The standard lending period is 28 days with two, 28-day renewal extensions.
Materials which the Library does not own may still be acquired and lent through a process called Interlibrary Loan. This allows Library users access to a wider array of materials. Requests for specific Interlibrary Loan items is done via the Request Item Through Interlibrary Loan button located within KP Discovery or by contacting the Reader Services Librarian directly. For further questions or information please contact the Reader Services Librarian.
Library users who do not return or damage materials will have borrowing privileges suspended until the materials are returned or replaced. Please contact the Reader Services Librarian for further information.
Purchase Recommendations:
The Library collection, both physical and electronic, is a reflection of the needs and input of the entire Academy Community. The Library welcomes and encourages input from all students, faculty, and staff to let us know potential resources to add to the collection. To discuss further or to recommend materials please contact the Reader Services Librarian.
Course Reserves:
The Library maintains a collection of Course Reserve material behind the Circulation desk. These materials are denoted by faculty members as being needed to directly support a course and have the potential to see a very high volume of use. As such, access to the items is highly controlled by Library staff to ensure equitable availability for all midshipmen at all times. For further information on how to use or place items on Course Reserve please contact the Reader Services Librarian.
Lost and Found:
Belongings which belong to other patrons found within the Library will be brought to the Lost and Found, located at the Circulation desk. If Library staff are able to determine the identity of the owner, they will be emailed to alert them to pickup their belongings as soon as possible. Students’ items left in the Lost and Found will be turned over to the Regiment and all other items will be turned over to Public Safety after a minimum of 4 weeks has past.
The USMMA Library building features a number of amenities for a variety of individual and group work activities. Please approach the Circulation desk staff or contact the Reader Services Librarian for further information on any of these items.