UW Libraries Faculty Guide

Updated 9/14/23

UW Libraries offers a wide range of teaching and research support, tools, and resources. This guide provides a basic overview of services and resources. When in doubt, ASK US. We’re here to help!

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New in 2023:

• New Resources: We add hundreds of new databases, research guides and other materials to the collection each year. See what's new in 2023!
• Open Scholarship Commons: The UW Libraries recently opened a new, physical space in Suzzallo Library dedicated to Open Scholarship. Explore the many ways you can bring digital scholarship skills to your research and classroom. The OSC provides a “one stop shop” of  tools that can help you throughout the research lifecycle, including data management, rights management, data visualization, digital publishing, scholarly profile development, and more. Learn how the OSC can help you and your students create projects and share research openly through open hosting platforms including creating and adapting Open Educational Resources.  These tools are open for use by any current UW student, faculty, or staff member. Learn more

Textbooks and Course Materials (including Course Reserves)

• We offer numerous online UW collections, including e-books, journal articles, and streaming media; and encourage you to consider open educational resources (OER)/open textbooks.
• Beyond robust online options, the Libraries Course Reserves service provides access to physical materials (course readings and media) for classes, by instructor request.
• This Course Materials FAQ outlines additional options for instructors for providing access to course materials.
• Can’t find what you need for your course in existing UW collections? Consult your subject librarian or fill out the Course Reserve Request Form and we will respond promptly.

Teaching Support

The Libraries provides a wide range of teaching support services including asynchronous online workshop modules and videos you can embed into your course, and other services such as: 

• Library research sessions tailored to your course
• undergraduate research skills;
• Graduate research support vis the  Graduate Student Research Institute (GSRI)
• Teaching citation management
• Support for academic integrity to minimize the potential for plagiarism
• Making connections to campus partners focused on pedagogy and teaching technology.

• Libraries Open Scholarship Commons (OSC) (see above)
• Workshops: The Libraries offers numerous workshops to support faculty.  From research and data management to open publishing, citation management and much more, check the Libraries Calendar, and/or subscribe to receive weekly summary of all Libraries events HERE.
• Canvas: Contact your subject librarian for help adding custom library content to a Canvas course

Subject Librarians

Our subject librarians are happy to assist with Libraries collections needs for research and teaching, and can provide tailored information sessions and individual and group consultations for students. In their roles they can also:

• Purchase books and other material
• Create a webpage or Canvas module tailored to your class assignment
• Answer questions via email, phone, or Zoom
• Act as a liaison in communicating your department's concerns and needs to Libraries Administration

Subject librarians also create and maintain disciplinary Research Guides.

Collections

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) can obtain materials from almost any Library worldwide.
• Delivery of UW-requested and ILL materials to campus mailboxes is available.
• Requests for new titles: We continue to welcome requests for new titles for the Libraries’ collections, which are referred to the appropriate subject librarian for review.
• Special Collections is open to UW and the public. Appointments are required to view collections. Walk-ins welcome for research consultations and to view reference materials. Remote viewing is also available via the virtual reading room.

Operations

• The Libraries Operations Updates (linked from our home page)  will always have the most up-to-date news and information on changes to hours or services (closures due to holidays, weather and other alerts that impact teaching and learning -- i.e. purchase request deadlines, etc.)

Odegaard Undergraduate Library and the Health Sciences Library are open only to current UW students, faculty, and staff, and a current valid Husky Card is required for entry.