Cheryl Bemiss

About me

BA, Psychology, University of Central Florida

MLS, Library Science, Emporia State University

I provide digital and physical access to research materials for libraries and other institutions around the world. I enjoy being able to share all of the excellent resources available at James Madison University.

I moved to Harrisonburg from St. Augustine, Florida, in August 2021. Zero regrets. I’m digging the natural beauty, local restaurants, and friendly people. I’ve also recently become an ardent college football fan – Go Dukes!

About Interlibrary Loan & Course Reserves

We provide Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Course Reserves services.

ILL enables JMU students, faculty, and staff to request materials that are not available in any JMU Libraries collections. We acquire those materials from other libraries and document delivery vendors. We also provide these additional services:

• Scan and Deliver: We scan articles and book chapters from the JMU Libraries print and microform collections and deliver the scanned materials electronically.
• Distance Learners: We send ILL and JMU Libraries materials to eligible distance learners.

Course Reserves allows JMU faculty members to place high-use course materials on reserve for students to check out with shortened loan periods.

• Traditional Course Reserves are offered at all JMU Libraries locations.
• Course Reading List is a tool that integrates course reserves and course readings into one easy-to-access list in Canvas.
• Digital Course Reserve (DCR) is an equivalent alternative to traditional Course Reserves that will allow digital access to print items.

About Discovery, Access, and Technology

We are responsible for collections, metadata, and technology. Departments include Access and Delivery, Interlibrary Loan and Course Reserves, Metadata Strategies, Collection Administration, Scholarly Communications Strategies, and Technology.

DATech’s Mission: To steward the entire lifecycle of collections and academic resources through a commitment to research support, equitable access, sustainability, reliable infrastructure, and care for the many communities we support.

DATech’s Vision: To develop and sustain innovative and integrative services that maximize equitable, enduring access to collections and academic resources while cultivating staff expertise and supporting capacity in a highly collaborative and adaptive unit.