Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
University of Southern MaineLibraries

Student Resources: Home

Links to Library Services and Resources for Students.

USM Libraries are located on all three campuses, providing access to the best sources of information available and services to match. Walk in or schedule an appointment with a research librarian to help you save time with your research assignments.

USM ID Card / USM Library Card

USM ID card

  • Stop by the main desk at a USM Library to activate your USM ID card so you have access to ALL resources. It takes 1 minute. (If you can't stop by, call 207-780-4270 with your ID card in-hand, and ask to have it activated.)
  • The Library Barcode is the black number beginning with 218... or 25022... below the barcode.

Tutoring

All three campuses provide in-person tutoring and we offer online tutoring! Our tutors are top USM students who have undergone training and are nationally certified to tutor. You are allowed up to two tutoring appointments per week for each subject.
Whether you want to meet with a tutor regularly in a subject you find difficult, go to a tutoring session with a classmate puzzling over the same material, or meet with a tutor to go over material before a test, here's what you need to do.

  • Sign into the MyUSM Portal
  • Under USM Quick Links, select USM Tutoring
  • Create your free Tutoring Account, using your maine.edu email and password
  • Sign-in to your Tutoring Account and make an appointment
  • Put your appointment in your calendar
  • If you need to cancel, go to your Account to cancel
  • Show up on time with your assignment and any needed book(s)

Accessing Electronic Reserves (ARES)

  • Check your schedule and make make sure for each course you have:
    1. The course abbreviation and number (e.g. ENG 100, BIO 105, MUS 150, HTY 200, ...)
    2. The instructor's name (e.g. Chebowicz, Champlin, Davis, Zhao, ...)
  • Learn more about how to do a Textbooks on Reserve search by viewing this very short tutorial.
  • If you do find your course listed, you can see which campus Library has the textbook(s) for your course.

Library Resources , Tech Support & Online Services

Start your research with Subject & Course Guides

Checkout our helpful Subject Guides and Course Guides for selected classes when you have a research assisgnment.

Finding Articles

Millions of articles (all for free) available by searching our databases. You can limit your search to scholarly, peer-reviewed articles and Full Text.

Start with OneSearch, our google-like search for everything we own both physically and digital collections.

URSUS is great for search eBooks which can often be collections of articles in the form of chapters on a topic.

Finding Books

URSUS (UMaine System Libraries & more).
Find books at USM Libraries or request a book from another UMaine campus. To request a book from another campus click on the book's title & click on Request next to the red check mark: This is the request button. Then enter your name and barcode number (25022... or 218... on your USM ID Card) & select the campus where you want the book sent for pickup. You'll be notified by email when the book(s) arrives -  typically within 3 business days. Return books to any of the three USM Libraries.

MaineCat (Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, & more) is where you go if the item you need is not available in URSUS.Once you have conducted a search and found the item you want, click on the book's title. Then click on Request this Item next to the red check mark: This is the request button. Select your home library and fill in the information like above. Return books to any of the USM Libraries.

If you can't find the book you need, check with a Research Librarian who will help you locate & request a free copy.

Tech Tutoring

The Learning Commons has Tech Tutors to help you with Blackboard, synchronizing calendars, using Excel, creating a presentation, and more.

Resources

Tools

Printing

USM Libraries provide resources and services to support all classes. Distance Students, those taking only online courses, have access to article databases, e-books, and research assistance (phone, email, or chat). Tutoring is available online.

If you have any questions, please contact us william.sargent@maine.edu or call 780-4270.

High School students who are either taking a USM course on campus or at their high school have equal access to all library materials. Find out more.

How Do You Access Library Resources Off-Campus?

MyUSM Portal

Once logged in to the MyUSM Portal using your MaineStreet (UMS) login, students have full access to library and other USM resources. The system recognizes when a student is a multi-campus student and will prompt the student to select the campus they wish to access.

If you have computing access questions contact Computing Services.

USM Student ID

A current USM Student ID card, provided by Campus Card Services, is essential at USM. To obtain a USM ID card please fill out the web form found on the Campus Card Services page under Distance Learners.  The library will activate your card for library use.

The number on your USM Student ID card beginning with 25022... or 218... is your library barcode and you may be asked to type it in to access databases off-campus, request materials from other libraries, and request materials via Interlibrary Loan.

 

Reserves

USM Professors may place items on reserve for you to access outside of class.

Electronic Reserves - Sign into MyUSM portal. Click on USM Quick Links. Click on USM Course Reserves (ARES). Find your courses and add them to your ARES main page.

Physical Reserves - Go to the Library where the Professor has placed the item on reserve (Portland, Gorham, or LAC). You can check out the item, usually for 2 hours, for use in the Library.

Textbooks on Reserve (100 & 200 level courses)

USM Libraries has placed many 100 & 200 level textbooks on Reserve in the Library. Students can check out these textbooks and use them in the Library for 2 hours. Selected 300 & 400 level textbooks may be placed on reserve too.

 

Borrowing a textbook on Reserve

  • Bring your course information to the campus Library that has the textbook.
  • Bring your USM ID card. You must have your USM ID card to checkout books.
  • At the main desk, ask for the textbook by course number (ENG 100,...) and title of the book.
  • You can checkout the textbook for use in the Library for two hours.
    If you need the book for longer than two hours, you can check it out again if no one is waiting for the book.

Picture of a USM ID Card

Ask A Librarian

WiFi and Printing

Register your device(s) online and use EDUROAM or TEMPEST WiFi.

To print from USM computers or your laptop, will need to have money (Husky Bucks) on your USM ID card.

  • Printing is 4 cents/page
  • Copying is 7 cents/page
  • Color printing is 25 cents/page

If you have a laptop, click on the Laptop Printing link below to download the printing program.