Services

Borrowing

Borrowing and Renewals

To renew materials borrowed from the library, including those from MeLCat or Interlibrary Loan, please refer to the FAQs section, which addresses most questions related to borrowing and renewing materials

Community Borrower Program

Details regarding access to library resources, including information about the community borrower card program, are available. Step-by-step instruction are available covering how to request items to borrow.

Community Borrower Request Form

Community Borrowers can request items to borrow from our collection.

MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan

MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services enable you to acquire materials not currently available at Olson Library. These materials may include books, dissertations, media, microfilms, and photocopies of periodical articles borrowed from other libraries.

Support

Printing

The library provides two black & white networked printers and one color photocopy networked printer available for use by NMU students, faculty, and staff. Payment is exclusively through CatCa$h loaded on your NMU ID (WildCat Express Card). Guests have the option to purchase a preloaded print card for printing services.

Study Rooms

The library provides collaborative, considerate, and quiet reservable study rooms on Harden Hall's second, third, and fourth floors.

Technology in the Library

The library offers a range of technology including scanners, computers, fax machines, and printers for use within the library premises.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality bays equipped with Meta Quest 3 headset are available for reservation or for specific course-related activities.

Research

Citation Tools

Guides to some of the most common citation styles and tools that assist with creating bibliographies.

Government Documents

Serving the 1st Congressional District, Northern Michigan University's Olson Library has been a federal depository library since 1963. Documents in the collection cover a variety of subjects and are meant to compliment not only the curriculum and research at Northern Michigan University, but the needs of the public in the 1st Congressional District as well. The Olson Library also receives documents from the State of Michigan via their depository program. The documents, both electronic and hard-copy, are available to the public and NMU faculty, staff, and students.

LibGuides

LibGuides are guides created and curated by our Liaison Librarians that include subject guides for locating information in a wide range of disciplines and how-to guides addressing library services, effective search strategies and citation styles.

Liaison Librarians for Students

Each student at Northern Michigan University has a Liaison Librarian who specializes in supporting research in your major, minor, or elective courses.

Research Assistance Request Form

Library staff can provide brief answers to factual questions.

Instruction

Creating Course Reserves

Faculty members can place hard-copy materials on reserve at the Information Services Desk or provide electronic materials accessible through EduCat.

Liaison Librarians for Faculty

Liaison Librarians collaborate with faculty and academic staff to support research, teaching, and curricular development. Each liaison serves as the subject specialist for designated departments and offers domain-specific expertise. Faculty are encouraged to consult their liaison for support in their respective area.

Library Instruction Request Form

Faculty members can utilize this form to request a class session conducted by a library faculty member, customized to suit the specific needs of the class.