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ACADEMIC SERVICES

The University Libraries

Maureen Pastine, University Librarian

The Libraries of Temple University form an extensive network of services and resources that support the educational and research needs of the University’s students and faculty. The University Libraries directly support the schools and colleges on the Main Campus, Temple University Ambler, Tyler School of Art, Temple University Harrisburg, and Temple University Center City. The Health Sciences Center Libraries serve the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Podiatric Medicine, the College of Allied Health Professions and the Temple University Hospital. The Law Library supports the faculty and students of the School of Law on the Main Campus. The University also provides library services for students attending Temple Abroad (in Rome, Tokyo, and Osaka).

Computer technology plays an important role in identifying and locating the vast array of resources owned by the University’s system of libraries. An Online Catalog lists library holdings and course reserves, as well as their circulation status. The Scholars Information Center Network links SIC workstations on six University campus locations: Main Campus, Health Sciences Center, Temple University Center City, Tyler School of Art, Temple University Harrisburg, and Temple University Ambler. From the SIC workstations, users conduct research using CD-ROM and online databases; access local and external computing facilities using the University’s local network and the Internet; and manipulate and analyze retrieved data using popular software packages for word processing, database management, and spreadsheet and presentation design.

Expert assistance in exploring the resources of the library system is provided by reference staff. Additionally, subject specialists provide in-depth reference assistance and classroom instruction in the bibliographic and related research resources of their disciplines.

The combined collections of the Temple University Libraries include more than 2.3 million volumes and 15,000 current serial subscriptions, as well as extensive collections of microforms and cartographic, graphic, and interactive multimedia materials. The University participates in the Federal Depository Library Program, through which it receives 60 percent of the publications issued by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Special research collections

include the Urban Archives, which documents the social, economic, and physical development of the Philadelphia metropolitan area since the mid-19th century; the University Archives; the Rare Books and Manuscripts; Contemporary Culture; Science Fiction and Fantasy collections; and the Blockson Afro-American Historical Collection.

When local holdings do not supply needed material, members of the Temple academic community are afforded access to the collections of other universities and colleges, either directly or indirectly. The University’s participation in the Research Libraries Group (RLG) provides for reciprocal on-site access to the libraries of approximately 30 major U.S. academic institutions including, in the mid-Atlantic region, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Rutgers, Penn State, Columbia, New York University, Georgetown, and the University of Maryland. Students and faculty may also request books and copies of journal articles through Interlibrary Services. These requests are filled using an international network of cooperating academic, public, and special libraries. The Libraries also offer a fee-based service (CIBaRS) that supplies copies of requested materials from commercial document delivery sources on a cost-recovery basis.

The resources of the University Libraries are housed in Paley Library on the Main Campus and in ten separate facilities serving specific disciplines and campus locations. Paley Library serves as the main library for collections (1.8 million volumes) and centralized reference services. It supports the branch and departmental libraries through intra-library deliveries of materials and closely coordinated collection development efforts. For further information, contact the libraries listed below:

Temple University Ambler Library
580 Meetinghouse Road
Ambler, PA 19002
(215) 283-1383

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