What New Faculty Need to Know about JMU Libraries (Updated September 2)

Posted September 2, 2020 in Educational Technology News, JMU Libraries News

Welcome to James Madison University! We are here to help advance your research and teaching, offering library resources/services and providing support for the effective use of educational technology in your teaching.

On our beautiful campus, you’ll find four library facilities, which you can tour (virtually) in this short video. 

Here is how you can get the most from JMU Libraries’ services and programs as you make JMU your academic home:

Online/Hybrid Teaching, Instructional Design, and Educational Technologies

• Learn the basics of teaching online at JMU: Consult our Guide to Online & Hybrid Teaching at JMU.
• Develop your skills in online or hybrid teaching: Take an online workshop about teaching online and related topics.
• Consult with an instructional designer or educational technologist: Talk with our skilled and friendly experts about course design, digital projects, and much more. Start with our Consultation and Instruction Form.
• Get the equipment you need: Borrow audiovisual equipment, including microphones, projectors, and more.
• Use classroom technology: Visit our Classroom Technology page to learn about the technology and equipment installed in each classroom on campus. Watch a video with a virtual “tour” of how most classroom technology will be set up this fall.
• Get tech support for Canvas and other learning technologies: Visit our Library Tech Support (renamed to Learning Innovations & Design Desk) page to seek technical assistance during our service hours, or refer to the Canvas Instructor Guide.
• Get help with recording video or audio: Request remote or in-person support from Media Production Services by using the Consultation and Instruction Form and selecting “Media Production” as the category.
• Experiment with 3D printing, sewing, and more: When they are open again, check out our makerspaces! Soon, you’ll be able to visit The Makery for a peek into the making, crafting, and creative pursuits we support.

Library Resources and Services

• Meet your liaison librarian: Each academic unit has a designated librarian who can offer advice and tools for subject-specific research, information literacy, and more. Make an appointment or email your librarian to get started.
• Request instruction for your classes: Librarians can offer online instruction sessions to help students learn how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically.
• Get the books you need: Request and borrow books through our temporary Click and Pickup service.
• Explore our disciplinary research guides: Browse our research guides to find the databases and research tools we offer in your field.
• Find what you need online: Explore our online resources including streaming movies, journals, ebooks, databases, and more.
• Obtain materials not in the Libraries: Request electronic/scanned articles and book chapters from other institutions via JMU’s Interlibrary Loan.
• Locate rare materials and local archives: Peruse the Special Collections’ Digital Collections until the Special Collections reading room is available by appointment. Contact library-special@jmu.edu with questions.
• Connect from off-campus: Almost all of the Libraries’ online collections and resources are available from off-campus by logging in with your JMU eID/password. Learn how to connect from off-campus.
• Share your research: Deposit your papers in the JMU Scholarly Commons and get expert advice on scholarly communications.
• Questions are always welcome: Ask us about library resources, services, or materials.

Other Teaching and Technology Resources

Beyond the Libraries, you may want to reach out to the Center for Faculty Innovation (CFI) for resources related to teaching and JMU Information Technology (IT) for resources related to certain technologies. Here is an incomplete list of some of the things these offices can help you with:

• CFI: Engage in faculty-driven programs and services that provide with you support for your multidimensional role as a teacher, scholar, leader, and adviser.
• JMU IT: Get help with your eID, Duo, your JMU email, campus wifi, SharePoint, MyMadison, Pulse Secure VPN, and other computing topics. See also JMU IT’s info for new faculty.

We’re Here to Help

Starting something new in a time of great change can be strange and overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Whether you have a question about a book, your Canvas course, or how to find the best primary source on the history of JMU, we in the Libraries are here for you. Not sure who to ask? Visit our Ask the Library page to use our live chat or send us a message.

Originally published on August 13, 2020; updated September May 27, 2021; updated February 6, 2024 to add the name of the Learning Innovations & Design Desk, previously called Library Tech Support.