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Welcome to Cornell University Library!

A new academic year has begun, and we can’t wait to meet you. Below, you’ll find information on all of the Library’s Orientation offerings. Elsewhere on this website, we’ve highlighted resources and services that are useful for both new and returning students, as well as for faculty members and visiting family members.

Big Red Welcome Fest

Ho Plaza
August 19 and 20: 11 a.m.—3 p.m.

Did you know that Cornell University Library is comprised of eighteen unique libraries on the Ithaca campus? Visit our tent on Ho Plaza and get the inside scoop on all our offerings and services, plus a map and guide to our locations, and much more!


FAMILY TOURS AND EVENTS

Olin and Uris Libraries Tour

Departing from the plaza between Olin and Uris; 30 mins.
August 19 and 20: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.,  and 3 p.m.
Sign up for a tour

An essential part of the Orientation experience, our tours introduce new Cornellians to two iconic libraries and vital academic resources on the Arts Quad at the heart of central campus. Olin and Uris Libraries are home to materials and library experts primarily supporting the humanities and social sciences. Learn about the spaces, services, and resources at Olin and Uris. Large groups will be split into smaller ones. Please note that this walking tour includes multiple stairways. For accessibility needs, please contact bb29@cornell.edu prior to your anticipated tour. Attendance is capped at 70 for each tour.

Mann Library Tour

Departing from Mann Lobby; 45 mins.
August 19 and 20: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.
Sign up for a tour

Why do our students tell us that Albert R. Mann Library is their home away from home? Join us and find out! You’ll learn the top 10 things you need to know about Mann Library as
an incoming student, including an overview of our amazing study spaces (including 24/7 spaces, individual and group study rooms, and our new sensory study space), how to find books in the stacks (what is the Library of Congress classification system anyway?), and why you should always bring your Cornell ID. You can also enter our raffle to win fun library swag. Explore all our amazing resources and find out why Mann is the “best place to discover 10 million new ideas!” Families are welcome. Tours include a Q&A, and attendance is capped at 40 for each tour.

Mann Library New Student Welcome

Tsujimoto Family Plaza, Ag Quad
August 19 and 20: 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Get to know more about Mann Library at our New Student Welcome on the Ag Quad! Join our friendly staff at the tent on the Tsujimoto Family Plaza for some light refreshments, helpful
info, free swag, and a fun arts and crafts activity to help decorate your dorm room!

Rare and Manuscript Collections (RMC) Tour

2B Kroch Library (enter through Olin Library); 30 mins.
August 19 and 20: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sign up for a tour

Visit the research facilities of Cornell University Library’s principal repository of rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials! See highlights from our extraordinary collections, and learn more about our research, instruction, and outreach services for undergraduate students while enjoying our current exhibitions:  “Dr. Joyce Brothers: Mother of Modern Media Psychology” in the Hirshland Gallery, and “Sit, Stay: Early Photographs of Dogs” in our Rotunda. Attendance is capped at 25 for each tour.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Cannabis in the Catalog: A Skill-Building Scavenger Hunt

Online game; self-directed, asynchronous
Starting a research project? Need a quick fact check? The library catalog is your gateway to a big, wide universe of top-quality resources on any subject. In this scavenger hunt, complete the challenges we’ve set dfor you to discover some of the newest insights about an old herb, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering Cornell’s library catalog as a powerful information tool. As we really do like to say here at Cornell University Library—any person, any study!

Begin the hunt

“How to Use the Library” Tutorials

Online game; self-directed, asynchronous
Learn how to use the Library from your computer by completing these fun and interactive tutorials.

Explore the tutorials

Six Things You Need to Know to Use Archives at Cornell

Video
What are archives and how are they different from doing research using books or journals? Learn the six key skills necessary to use archival collections on campus with this guided exploration of the Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives and Rare and Manuscript Collections. From digital to print collections, you will learn how to request and use primary sources, whether for a research assignment or personal interest.

Watch Six Things You Need to Know

Virtual Exhibit of Uris Library’s A. D. White Library

Online exhibit
Explore Uris Library’s gem of neo-Gothic architecture, the Andrew Dickson White Library, in this online exhibit. The exhibit highlights memorabilia and recent improvements to this library-within-a-library, as well as some of the major figures associated with its history.

Explore the exhibit