About the Colgate University Libraries
The Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology opened in March 2007. The Case library serves the arts and humanities, social sciences, interdisciplinary areas, and university studies. The Geyer Center for Information Technology serves the computing and technology needs of the entire Colgate community. The five-story, 151,000-square-foot structure brings together the university’s print, media, and digital resources. The result is an interactive, user-friendly facility supporting the collaborative learning central to study in the liberal arts. Case-Geyer’s atrium and many windows provide natural light throughout the building. Four large reading rooms provide vistas of the beautiful Colgate campus.
Collections
The library supports student and faculty research with a collection of approximately 818,078 print book/periodical volumes, 444,977 e-books, and 149,896 print and digital periodicals. Maps, state and U.S. government documents, audio recordings, and 15,706 films round out the collections. Colgate participates in the ConnectNY library consortium’s shared collection of over 5 million titles. Our automated storage and retrieval (LASR) system can hold 550,000 volumes, all conveniently accessed through the library online catalog. See our video on how LASR works.
Students, faculty, and staff can use cul.colgate.edu to find books and media, search 286 databases, check the location and status of specific items, request items from other libraries, chat with or text a reference librarian, or request personalized research assistance. The Digital Commons @ Colgate institutional repository houses student honors theses, faculty scholarship, and our library newsletters.
Services
Reference librarians provide personalized assistance in finding and assessing information resources. Reference service is available by e-mail, text message, and personal research consultations. Librarians collaborate with faculty to provide around 300 information literacy sessions each year and we provide a broad range of course and subject guides. Colgate’s participation in the Information Delivery Services (IDS) Project adds speed and efficiency to our interlibrary loan service. The Colgate libraries offer full course reserve services to faculty for both print and online materials.
To contact us individually, please see our Staff Directory.
Facilities
The Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology includes state-of-the-art facilities for research and scholarship. The Level 5 Learning Commons provides a wide array of user spaces including a café, 24-hour study space, service desk, Batza Meeting Room, Cronin Learning Lab, Grover-Hargrove Digital Learning and Media Center, group study rooms, seminar rooms, and a reading room with a beautiful view of Payne Brook and Taylor Lake. Level 4 provides a variety of study spaces, current periodicals, and books in LC classes J-L and N-Z.
On the Level 3 main corridor, staff members provide user assistance at the Borrowing Services Desk and IT Service Desk. Resources along “main street” include the reference collection, books in LC class M, computers, scanners, printers, photocopiers, and microform reader-printers.
Special Collections and University Archives on Level 2 houses major collections on Joseph Conrad and George Bernard Shaw, rare books, historical and biographical materials relating to alumni and faculty, and significant collections of Hamilton and Madison County history. Level 2 includes study spaces and the books in LC classes A-H. Level 1 houses government documents and audio and video recording studios.
The George R. Cooley Science Library in McGregory Hall was renovated in 2015. The library serves all with collections in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, and psychology. The Cooley Library provides students books in LC classes Q-T, journals, study spaces, course reserves, and personal research assistance.
Colgate University Libraries Mission Statement
The Colgate University Libraries advance the university’s educational programs by providing information resources and services that support the curriculum, faculty research, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The libraries foster the development of students who are independent, self-directed learners able to make critical, informed, and sophisticated use of information in their courses, independent inquiry, and life after graduation.
Goals
The mission of the Libraries includes the following goals:
- The selection, organization, and preservation of collections and the provision of both physical and intellectual access to resources appropriate to the curriculum of the University, the current research interests of the faculty, and the needs of the Colgate community.
- Shared educational programs that embed information literacy into teaching and learning at Colgate University.
- An engaged staff that provides high quality resources and services that meet the needs of students and faculty.
- Leadership in information management and in the creative use of new technologies.
- Partnership with other university groups, libraries, and professional organization.
- Participation in mutually beneficial cooperative and interdependent relationships with other libraries.
- An environment that encourages intellectual exploration and learning.
- Ongoing evaluation of library resources and programs, both onsite and elsewhere.
Strategic Directions
Among Colgate University’s goals is “to provide the nationally competitive institutional support and mentorship necessary to foster learning and research for any member of the academic community.” The University Libraries support Colgate’s Third Century Plan through its professional staff, services, spaces, and resources.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of library operations including collections, accessible spaces, staffing, and services. We provide welcoming spaces for our users, whose differences we recognize and respect.
Expertise and Services
Leverage expertise to create a user-focused service model designed to support a culture of intellectual engagement and academic scholarship.
Inspired Spaces
Enhance library spaces and online presence by proactively supporting user needs.
Resources for Scholarship
Leverage resources to acquire content that supports the University’s evolving curriculum and research enterprise, making data-informed decisions based on financial stewardship, librarian expertise, engagement with collegiate faculty, and emerging fields of inquiry.