James M. Milne Library: An Overview
The James M. Milne Library, named for the first principal of the Oneonta Normal School, supports the College’s mission by providing resources and services to meet the academic and technology needs of its students and faculty.
Housed in an attractive, five-story building, Milne Library has incorporated both technology and academic support services in its transformation to a learning commons model. The learning commons provides access to traditional library services, including reference, circulation, and interlibrary loan, and offers learning support across the disciplines through the Center for Development and Enrichment (CADE) Satellite in a technology-rich environment. Equipped with a high-speed, wireless network, the learning commons includes a Technology Center housing general purpose and specialty labs and a range of software applications. Under one roof, students are able to retrieve information, write papers, and create presentations in a collaborative environment.
The library book collection consists of approximately half a million volumes. Other collections include magazines, newspapers, and journals in print, microfilm, and electronic formats. The collection also features U.S. government documents, maps, children’s books, multimedia materials, including DVDs and CDs, and the College archives. Serving as a gateway to the world of resources beyond the library’s walls, the library web site at http://www.oneonta.edu/library provides access to a wide variety of electronic sources, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, periodical indexes, and full text databases of magazine, newspaper, and journal articles. Nearly 37,000 electronic periodical titles are available to users both on site and through remote access.
The Technology Center, opened in spring 2008, offers a 100-station computer lab with digital video editing suites and a presentation rehearsal room with self-video capability. Laptops are available for loan at the computer lab and printing services desk for use within the building. Additional computers for student use are located on the first floor of the building.
Help is available in many forms. Professional library staff members offer individual research assistance by telephone and email, as well as in person. The information technology help desk, located within the Technology Center, provides walk-up, email, and telephone support, and the Technology Instruction Program for Students (TIPS) offers one-on-one assistance for computing application needs. CADE satellite tutors assist students with course assignments.
The library is an integral part of the research and instruction activities of faculty and students. Library instruction is designed in collaboration with faculty to develop students’ information literacy skills. In addition to single classes and multi-class components, the library offers the one-credit course INTD 150: Library & Internet Research in both the fall and spring semesters. The library also offers a research consultation service for those who need more in-depth, individual assistance.
The library’s Reading Room, located on the first floor, provides comfortable seating and leisure reading materials, only a short distance away from Jazzman’s Café, a popular meeting place where specialty coffees and light fare are served in an inviting atmosphere.