FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington’s Mantor Library is transforming the way it supports student education, making it more of a central resource for the campus while continuing its commitment to the community.
“The Mantor Library now offers a collaboration of library, information technology and learning assistance resources under one roof,” said Frederick Brittain, UMF chief operating officer and associate CIO for the University of Maine System. “As the academic heart of the UMF campus, it gives students a single place to study, research and get academic and technology assistance outside of their professors and academic advisor. “
UMF President Kathryn A. Foster affirmed the importance of advancing the library as a powerful resource in today’s changing information environment. She kicked-off the new initiative with a ribbon-cutting, opening the library’s new, student-run coffee bar.
“A university library plays an integral role on any campus in providing the academic community with the right tools for the expansion of knowledge,” said Foster. “Mantor’s transformation provides a comprehensive place for student learning and collaboration and a new vision for libraries in the 21st century.”
A new addition to the facility’s services, the UMF library’s front desk now offers a single-point-of-service for reference questions, information technology assistance and item check-out. The IT walk-up desk provides students with IT support, equipment use and software training.
A significant advancement in the main part of the library is the creation of a Student Learning Commons—a place where students can study alone, collaborate with peers, attend math and writing clinics or receive walk-in tutoring. Professional tutoring is available to students most weekdays, and daytime and evening workshops are also offered.
“We have already seen the Library double in student traffic this semester and the vision of a vibrant space for students to not only quietly study but join together in collective academic endeavors is well on its way,” said Brittain.
Under oversight by ARAMARK, UMF’s food service, the library’s new coffee bar is open Monday through Friday and offers barista prepared coffee and espresso beverages, natural smoothies and pastries. Organic, fair trade and farm direct coffees are offered and provided by Coffee by Design, a Portland, Maine company.
Along with the changes, UMF’s library still houses three floors of its permanent, physical collection. Students and community members will continue to have access to computers, a growing collection of ebooks, and books and materials throughout the state through URSUS (the catalog for the Maine State Library and libraries throughout the state) and nationally through inter-library loan.
“Mantor Library has just gotten better,” said Vaughan Gagne, UMF manager of administrative services. “Students love the new look and new services. They’re excited about having all this at their fingertips and finding new ways to learn.”
What a good idea! kudos.
My Aunt, Margaret Armstrong, the first professionally trained librarian to run Mantor Library would be pleased and surprised by this development. Good luck with this new service..
I always thought that Mantor Library needed a coffee bar in it. I had attended a significantly larger university prior to UMF which had this feature in their library. I missed it badly, so glad that they have taken that step!
Looking good! I love Mantor Library. Vaughan, Sarah, and Janet are so helpful and friendly as I get MANY books through the inter-library loan program. Thanks!
I rather expect the suggestion of a coffee bar would elicit Ms Mantor’s infameous (terrifying!) “stern look”