The UGL Gets a Makeover

Posted on May 12, 2014 by LK

It’s almost summer! Here at the UGL, we just wrapped up a busy weekend providing you with 24 hours access to the library space and resources. We hope you also had a productive weekend studying for your finals and finishing any last papers or projects!

The UGL is about to get a big makeover!

While you’re at home, on vacation, working at an internship, or traveling the world this summer, there are going to be some big changes going on at the UGL. Starting on Monday, May 19th, the main floor of the UGL will be closed off until August 1st due to new carpet installation on the entire floor. When you get back to school this fall, come check out the UGL’s new look!

What’s Changing for the Summer

Things will be moving around a lot, but most UGL resources will still be available.
If you have a question about finding or using something in the UGL, head downstairs to the lower level. We’re moving our circulation desk down there, and that’s where we can answer any questions you have. Here’s a brief summary of what the setup will be:

Books and movies are staying downstairs and are still available, but you’ll check them out downstairs at our relocated circ desk inside the media collection.
Media reserves, new books and magazines, and some of our loanable technology are moving to the lower level. If you have a question about what loanable tech will be available, call us and ask!
Textbooks on reserve will be at the Main Library Circulation Desk. There will be signs to direct you and plenty of staff members waiting to help.
Group study rooms will not be available. If you’d like to find a study room in another library on campus, visit our group reserve system to book a room.
The CITES computer lab on the upper level will not be available. For more information about other CITES computer labs across campus, visit their website. If you’re looking for a specific software, you can find a directory of software available in libraries and figure out where that software is available on campus.
The lower level won’t be a quiet zone this summer. Quiet study spaces can be found in many other libraries on campus.
The Writer’s Workshop, gaming zone, and video production studio will not be available due to the re-carpeting.
Media commons resouces will be available, with limitations. If you need to use the Media Commons resources, such as the audio booth or digital media software, please contact the Media Commons staff at mediacommons@illinois.edu. They will be able to help you with any questions about what specific resources will be available over the summer.

If you have any questions about what services are being provided or where a resource is located, just ask! We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Summer Hours

To prepare for all these big changes (and to take a break for graduation!), the Undergraduate Library will close on Friday, May 16th, at 7pm. We’ll stay closed all weekend, and open again on Monday, May 19th, at 8:30am. We will be open during Summer I for the following hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:30am-6pm;
Friday: 8:30am-5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 1pm-5pm.
If you want to visit another library on campus this summer, check out the whole library schedule.

Finals week is here!

Posted on May 8, 2014 by QLB

It’s that time of the semester again. Yup, finals week is here. Here at the UGL, we know you’re scrambling to finish last minute papers and projects. People are starting to get a bit anxious, but no worries. The UGL is here to help, always. And by always we mean we’re not closing until finals are over.

We’re open forever. Never leave us.

Beginning today, May 8th, the UGL will be open 24 hours – no closing between 2 AM and 10 AM like usual, so you can do that last-minute cramming. We’ll be open all the way through May 17th, when we will close early at 7 P.M. and start our summer hours. That’s right folks. We’re open that whole time. Take advantage of it and come in and be productive.

This, too, shall pass. Finals will come to an end. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Return of the Dogs

Posted on May 5, 2014 by CN

They’re back! Rejoice! Therapy Dogs will be returning to UIUC libraries during finals week to soothe all your exam woes (or help you celebrate any impending graduations). We’ve also got a guest star this semester. Who’s excited about…therapy cats?

Library Therapy Dog Program, May 8th, 12th, and 13th

If you haven’t attended a therapy dog event before, allow us to inform you about what they are. Many studies have shown that interacting with animals can reduce stress levels (and, in turn, improve academic performance). Based on this, the UIUC libraries work with CU Canine Connection, a local therapy dog group, to bring animals to you in places where you are often stressed (ie the library – sorry about the stress).

Sam, Tycho, and Raven, friendly doggies from past semesters, will all be returning to various libraries during finals week so you can reconnect and get your snuggles. Neo regretfullly cannot make it this semester, but sends his love from afar and will catch you next time. To refresh your memory on who’s who (or to get a primer before you meet them for this first time) you can revisit our previous blog posts about therapy dogs. We also have three new visitors this semester: Darby the English Springer Spaniel, and Wyatt and Herbie the Therapy Cats. Learn more about them below!

Darby!

Darby

Darby is a 6-year-old English Springer Spaniel. She lives with her people-mom and -dad in a 36-foot motor home. Traveling is a way of life for her, and she has become very adaptable to long trips on the road and different campgrounds. Darby is also a service dog, helping her hearing-impaired dad at home. She enjoys flying at her humans’ feet on frequent flights between Illinois and Florida.She likes people of all ages as long as they will provide lots of loving and affection (so she’ll fit right in at the UGL!) This will be her first appearance in the library, but her second at the U of I: the first was the Smoke Out event last year.

Herbie!

Herbie

Herbie is a 15-year-old British short hair mix. Adopted from the Champaign County Humane Society, he is a laid back orange tabby that loves attention, string toys, catnip, and wrestling andplaying with his 3 cat brothers. He visits Clark-Lindsey retirement village every week, where he visits with residents and staff. He is registered as a therapy cat with Love on Leash, and his “mom” is involved in I-CAT, International Cat-Assisted Therapy.

Wyatt!

Wyatt

Wyatt is a five year old Ragdoll. He has long silver and white fur. He loves for his friends to give attention to him, and will purr and flex his paws if you pet him. Wyatt is very laid back and loves his people to visit, and he works every week at a nursing home in Champaign County. He is registered with Love on a Leash.

Here’s the schedule for spring semester 2014, showing which dogs (and cats) will be at which libraries on which days:

Grainger Engineering Library on Thursday, May 8th, from 2-4 PM: Sam and Darby
UGL on Monday, May 12th, from 2-4 PM: Tycho, Wyatt and Herbie
Funk ACES Library on Tuesday, May 13th, from 2-4 PM : Raven

We hope to see you there!

UGL Study Spaces

Posted on May 1, 2014 by LK

Hooray, it’s May! The end of the semester is soooo close, we can almost taste the incredible amount of Custard Cup we’re going to eat this summer. But, before we can order a celebratory sundae, we have a whole lot of studying to do, papers to write, and projects to complete. Here at the UGL, we try to provide different spaces to fit a whole range of study needs.

Whether you’re doing a group project, studying with a friend, or need some serious concentration space, we want to help you be successful during these important final weeks of the semester. We created this infographic in order to help you find the perfect study spot here at the Undergraduate Library! Click on the image to view it full-size.

For more helpful tips, check out our Study Smarts Pinterest board. Happy studying!

Undergraduate Library Blog

Information and Updates on Getting the Most out of the UGL

Monthly Archives: May 2014