Library services and resources are available in-person and online to help you achieve your research, teaching and learning goals. What does that mean? See below to discover some of what the library offers.
REFERENCE and RESEARCH HELPNeed help finding a book? We can help! Not sure where to begin finding articles for a paper? No problem! Stop by the reference desk on the first floor of I.D. Weeks Library Monday – Thursday between the hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and a librarian will be happy to help you. Not able to get to the library? Contact us online through Ask a Librarian to connect with a librarian using email or chat. Find our hours here. By the way, if you want to contact us during hours reference services are closed? Submit a question through Ask a Librarian and we will respond when reference services reopen.
Are you working on more in-depth research or teaching a class? Arrange to meet with a Subject Specialist Librarian for assistance with your research project or teaching. They are also who to contact for new materials requests and library instruction for your class.
PRIMARY SOURCES/COLLECTIONSLooking for first-hand account about a topic? The Archives & Special Collections (A & SC) department can help you locate the primary sources needed for your research. A & SC is the rare books, manuscripts and archives department of the University Libraries and contains materials related to local histories, South Dakota history, Native American Collections and western expansion of the United States. It also contains materials relating to activities of USD students, faculty and alumni, as well as the USD Photograph Collection. While A & SC is currently closed for renovations, the department may be contacted via email for assistance. (speccoll@usd.edu)
Oral Histories are also primary sources and an interesting way to hear first-hand accounts of the people of the Northern Plains. The South Dakota Oral History Center’s (SDOHC) collects and maintains these recordings which have been digitized and catalogued. Included in the collection are over 5500 interviews which preserve indigenous memories and experiences from the 1890s to present.
The University Libraries provide many more resources to support your research, teaching and learning. Stop by to check out the library and keep an eye out for updated blog posts about the great resources available to you. Oh—and when you do stop by, wander through each floor to see the amazing Arts & Exhibits on display throughout the building!