University of Houston Libraries is pleased to announce that MD Anderson Library floor 1 has been updated with a new, contemporary seating configuration.

MD Anderson Library floor 1 refresh

The space refresh was inspired by student feedback reflecting preferences for a variety of seating options. This popular area offers Coogs a mix of furniture selections including relaxed, bar height, and laptop-friendly soft seating. The first floor is also where Coogs can find a streamlined computing and printing service, expanded mobile printing, and expanded Bring Your Own Device seating.

View photos of the MD Anderson Library floor 1 refresh.

University of Houston Libraries welcomes new and returning Coogs for the start of a spirited fall 2024 semester. This academic year, effective Monday, August 19, MD Anderson Library will offer new Service Desk hours. The new schedule is:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.

The new hours pertain only to the Service Desk on MD Anderson Library floor 1. Building hours will remain the same as in previous semesters.

During times when MD Anderson Library is open and the Service Desk is closed, Coogs have the following self-service options:

• Self-checkout machines on MD Anderson Library floor 1, located across from the Service Desk, enable users to check out books. The self-checkout machines require an active Cougar Card to borrow books.
• Group study rooms in the Red and Brown wings on floors 3, 4, and 5 are open on a first-come-first-served basis. No reservation or room keys are required to use these rooms during hours when the Service Desk is closed.
• Individual study carrels in the Blue wing on floors 3, 5, and 6 and in the Brown wing on floors 2 – 5 are open on a first-come-first-served basis. No reservation or carrel keys are required to use these carrels during hours when the Service Desk is closed.
• Printing, scanning, and copying options are available for those with active Cougar Cards.

Hours of operation for special libraries and service points are as follows:

Special Collections
Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Digital Research Commons
Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Architecture, Design, and Art Library
*Re-opening on Monday, August 26* Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Health Sciences Library
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Medical Library
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (staffed); the space is open 24 hours for medical students

Music Library
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact us.

The University of Houston community now has a new option to enter MD Anderson Library with a digital Cougar Card via the UH Go app.

Using a PAX reader, security staff can scan the QR code connected to each user’s Cougar Card and generated in the UH Go app, allowing students, faculty, and staff to pass through the security turnstiles without the need for a physical Cougar Card.

See how to access your digital Cougar Card QR code.

A successful pilot phase of PAX reader use in summer 2024 showed the digital option provides a quick, easy, and secure method of entry to MD Anderson Library.

Users retain the option to swipe or tap their physical Cougar Card for entry. Visitors without a physical or digital Cougar Card may enter with a valid, government-issued ID at the security desk. See Entering MD Anderson Library for more information.

This week, visitors to the University of Houston MD Anderson Library will notice a suite of banners in the atrium and floors 2 and 3. The Banner Project, created by Houston activists Sara Fernandez, JD Doyle, and Kirk Baxter, is a pop-up exhibit featuring pivotal moments in Houston’s LGBT history from the 1930s to present day.

2023 marks the seventh year that UH Libraries has partnered with the creators to host the banners, sparking discussion, reflection, and engagement with the LGBT History Research Collection. The banners will remain on display through October in honor of LGBT History Month and American Archives Month. While The Banner Project comprises 50 banners highlighting individuals, organizations, and events in Houston’s LGBTQ community history, 26 were selected for the pop-up exhibit.

Many archives and publications preserved in UH Libraries Special Collections serve as primary sources for the subjects of the banners and the teaching, learning, research, and programming they inspire. UH collections represented in the banners include Royal Dixon and Chester Snowden, The Diana Foundation, This Week In Texas magazine, former Harris County comptroller Gary Van Ooteghem and the Log Cabin Republicans, Town Meeting I, Lesbians Over Age Fifty (LOAF), Houston mayor Annise Parker, and others.

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.

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.

How to get your Cougar Card

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.

More information on entering MD Anderson 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.

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.

Welcome to University of Houston Libraries! Take a quick video tour of our public spaces.

Take a video tour of University of Houston Libraries.

Plans are underway to implement new security measures at the University of Houston M.D. Anderson Library.

Soon, visitors will find new gates located near the main entrance to the library. Students, faculty and staff will gain access beyond the lobby by swiping their Cougar Card in a card reader at the turnstiles, allowing entry for individuals to pass through. Additionally, arrangements will be made so visitors without a Cougar Card can still access the library. During the upcoming winter break, preparation for the installation of the gates will begin. The gates are set to be installed over the spring holiday week of March 9–14, 2020, and are scheduled for activation during summer 2020.

The additional layer of security is part of the University’s plan to enhance student and public safety on campus while maintaining accessibility for all. M.D. Anderson Library welcomes thousands of visitors every day. While the majority are UH students, borrowers from across the state, international scholars, campus tour groups and K-12 students also visit the library.

“Everyone is welcome in our library,” said dean of UH Libraries Lisa German. “As a research library at a Tier One public research institution, we have a mission to provide resources, services and spaces for our students and for the community at large. Security and accessibility are paramount.”

For more information on campus safety, visit Cougar S.A.F.E.