MD Anderson Library Collections and Space Project Begins
Last year, University of Houston Libraries initiated exploring new and effective ways to reposition the library setting in alignment with current infrastructure enhancements and strategic goals of the University. While ensuring we have critical resources both in print and electronic formats, we have begun an intentional, scaled approach to collections assessment and development, which will soon revitalize a large portion of the MD Anderson Library’s physical space for research, learning, and study.
Key Dates
October 16: Floors 7 and 8 of MD Anderson Library will be closed for an extended period to visitors and seating will be redistributed within the library. Books currently housed in these locations will be moved to off-site storage and will be available by request through interlibrary loan.
December 4: Users will be able to discover collections records in the catalog and request for check-out.
This activity signals the first phase of preparation toward building the Digital Humanities Core facility on floor 7 in partnership with the Division of Research, and complements the University’s anticipated innovation hub; while floor 8 will be cleared for new engagement spaces.
The collections and space project prioritizes critical needs of UH students, faculty, and the scholarly community. For libraries supporting R1 institutions (Carnegie-designated as the most research-intensive), the emphasis on circulating print resources has decreased, while preference for and usage of electronic resources has exponentially increased.
UH Libraries serves as a partner in curricular and scholarly activities, and this project enables a thoughtful and holistic study of the spaces and services offered to provide an enhanced experience of research and learning, alongside collaborative and scalable specialist knowledge.
The collections and space project will span several years and connects to the long-term vision of a reimagined library, where ideas converge, spaces inspire, and people connect.
How will this benefit UH students?
Students will continue to have access to all resources currently offered at UH Libraries during the stacks relocation. The stacks relocation will:
- free significant library space earmarked for independent and group immersive study areas
- facilitate direct experience with research activities taking place on campus via programming
- prioritize tech capacities
How will students be able to access the collections?
For the October 16 – December 4 collections relocation period, students can request titles via interlibrary loan. After this period, users will be able to discover collections records in the catalog and request for check-out.
How will this impact UH faculty?
Stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the project as necessary to ensure we are offering effective and meaningful services and expertise.
The DH Core and engagement spaces support complex research partnerships and services already provided by UH Libraries via our commitment to the research and learning lifecycle. The new spaces will strengthen the Libraries’ capability to serve as the University’s center for intellectual readiness and provide more flexibility which can amplify scholarly productivity.
How will faculty be able to access the collections?
For the October 16 – December 4 collections relocation period, faculty can request titles via interlibrary loan. After this period, users will be able to discover collections records in the catalog and request for check-out.
How can faculty learn more?
Dean Athena Jackson will be available for any requests to present information and address questions at faculty meetings.
Questions
Contact collections@uh.edu with your questions.
Cougar Card Required for Entry to MD Anderson Library
Your Cougar Card is the easiest, fastest way to access MD Anderson Library. All University of Houston students, faculty, and staff are required to use your physical Cougar Card for entry to MD Anderson Library through the security turnstiles. You may swipe your card through the magnetic reader or tap the proximity card sensor.
All University of Houston students, faculty, and staff must use a physical Cougar Card for entry to MD Anderson Library.
To enter with a valid government-issued photo ID, sign in at the security officer desk (at the left of the turnstiles).
Non-UH visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a valid photo ID.
MD Anderson Library Flooring Replacement Project Begins June 27
An upcoming construction project will temporarily disrupt access to specific areas within MD Anderson Library.
Flooring replacement work in Blue wing 4, 5, and 6 will begin on Monday, June 27 and continue through Friday, July 22, with preparation work starting on Friday, June 24. Each floor will be inaccessible for approximately two weeks, with some work overlap requiring that more than one floor will be closed at a time.
The schedule of affected areas is as follows:
- 6th floor: Monday June 27 – Friday July 8
- 5th floor: Tuesday July 05 – Friday July 15
- 4th floor: Monday July 11 – Friday July 22
Although collections housed in these areas will be inaccessible while construction is underway, users can still request to have an item retrieved. UH Libraries can assist with alternate access such as e-book, interlibrary loan (ILL), or finding a copy in a local library.
Due to the nature of the project, users can expect to hear noise. Disposable earplugs are available for users at the Service Desk. Alternate areas for study can be found on:
- Brown wing floors 2 – 5: individual study carrels
- Blue wing 7 – 8: open study spaces
- Gold wing 3: open study spaces
See MD Anderson Library floor maps.
For more information on access to materials or spaces, please contact Lee Hilyer.
Revamped Study Space at UH Music Library
University of Houston Music Library has a sleek new look. Research, relax, refine, and recharge at the transformed study space located in the Moores School of Music.
New Exhibit Features Works and Archives of Dorothy Hood
Artworks and archives of prominent Houston artist Dorothy Hood are on display at University of Houston Libraries Special Collections in an exhibit organized by Public Art of the University of Houston System in collaboration with the Art Museum of South Texas (AMST) and UH Libraries.
Part of the exhibit ‘Dorothy Hood: The Edge of Being’
From the Public Art of UH website: “As an artist, Texas-born Dorothy Hood (1918-2000) was best known for abstract works layered with a variety of materials, motifs and meanings. During her long career, her canvases and works on paper often referenced physical and mental landscapes as well as the connections between inner and outer worlds. Hood’s work was liminal, seamlessly moving between big concepts and the deeply personal.”
Related: AMST Donates Hood-Velasco Maidana Papers to UH Special Collections
Public Art of University of Houston System Celebrates Art of Dorothy Hood, Trendsetting Texas Artist
Visitors interested in an immersive look at Hood’s personal archives are encouraged to contact head of Special Collections Christian Kelleher.
UH Libraries Hosts the Banner Project
This month, visitors to the University of Houston MD Anderson Library will notice a suite of banners displayed in the atrium. Known as The Banner Project and created by Houston activist Sara Fernandez, the pop-up exhibit features pivotal points in Houston’s LGBT history from the 1930s to present day.
The Banner Project at UH Libraries
2021 marks the fifth year that UH Libraries has partnered with Fernandez to host the banners, which were produced by graphic designer Kirk Baxter. A new addition includes Houston Splash Galveston (1988), bringing the total banner count to 47.
The Banner Project is on display in conjunction with October 11, which is National Coming Out Day.
UH Libraries Spaces
Welcome to University of Houston Libraries! Take a quick video tour of our public spaces.
Take a video tour of University of Houston Libraries.
Welcome to UH Libraries
University of Houston Libraries welcomes the UH community for the start of the fall semester. As a reminder, the University strongly encourages everyone to wear masks in public indoor settings, including MD Anderson Library, Architecture, Design, and Art Library, Health Sciences Library, and Music Library.
MD Anderson Library at University of Houston
Beginning Monday, August 23, UH Libraries will expand hours of operation for all locations. UH Special Collections Reading Room is available by appointment. Additionally, the 24 Hour Lounge located at the front of MD Anderson Library will be accessible to students after our regular hours of operation.
MD Anderson Library Turnstiles
Students are strongly encouraged to bring their Cougar Card when visiting MD Anderson Library. Swiping or tapping a physical Cougar Card at the turnstiles is the fastest option for entry. At certain times, card access will be the only option for entry. In addition, the Cougar Card serves as a library card for book and material check-out, and allows students to release print jobs from library printers. Students without a physical Cougar Card will be asked to present their digital Cougar Card on the UH Go app to the security officer for access.
New Self-Service Lockers
MD Anderson Library now offers users an additional pick-up option for library materials. The remote locker system, located in the 24 Hour Lounge, allows users to pick up requested materials easily with just the swipe of a Cougar Card. When placing a request through the online catalog, users can select the remote locker delivery location and have their items placed in one of the 18 available lockers. Materials can be retrieved at the user’s convenience any time day or night. Users will have up to 7 days from notification to pick up items. Planned enhancements for fall 2021 include 24 additional lockers, 12 of which will be stocked with supplies and technology (such as a marker kit or graphing calculator) for users to check out on demand.
New self-service lockers allow users to pick up requested materials with the swipe of a Cougar Card.
Spaces, Services, and Resources
Popular Libraries services and resources, including remote access to digital items, librarian consultations, interlibrary loan, and printing and scanning, will continue to support UH student success. High demand spaces, such as computer labs, group study rooms, and multimedia studios, will also be available. Floors 5, 7 and 8 of the MD Anderson Library Blue wing are under construction and will re-open later in the fall semester. All other public areas of the library will be open and available.
“The Libraries team warmly welcomes new and returning Coogs to the library,” said Athena Jackson, dean of UH Libraries and Elizabeth D. Rockwell chair. “We’ve enhanced our spaces, services, and resources during this transformative time to engage and empower the UH community, and more improvements are on the horizon. Please stay safe and Cougar Strong!”
24 Hour Lounge Expansion Project
University of Houston Libraries, in partnership with UH Facilities/Construction Management, will improve the services and space of the 24 Hour Lounge located in MD Anderson Library to further support student success.
The construction project will include the addition of Einstein Bros. Bagels to the space, moving from its current location in PGH. While the space will be open 24/7, Einstein Bros. Bagels will maintain its own hours of operation.
The Lounge will be extended to a mezzanine. Entrances to the space will be expanded. Computing and seating space will be added, and vending services will be continued. The target completion date for construction is August 2022.
Updates to the project will be shared as they become available.
MD Anderson Library Water-Proofing and Roofing Repair Project
Beginning this summer, visitors to University of Houston MD Anderson Library will notice building repair work in progress.
The estimated 12-month project includes water-proofing to begin July 5, and roofing replacement to begin in November. Dates are approximations.
Fencing has been positioned around the MD Anderson Library on three sides and will not affect the main entrance. The loading dock area, as well as emergency egress doors, will not be impacted.
During the course of the project, some noise may be heard inside the Library.
Impact to the Library’s surrounding environment will be minimal. The large magnolia tree at the southeast corner of the building will be protected at all times, and other bordering shrubbery and trees may be removed and replaced at the completion of the project.
Updates to the project will be shared as they become available.
