What is the University of Southern Mississippi Libraries Website?

Updated

lib.usm.edu is the website of University Libraries at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). It is the online entry point for the library system serving USM students, faculty, and staff, and it also exposes a range of resources to outside researchers and the public. Use it when you need to find research guides, search articles and databases, reach e-journals, manage your library account, or locate a specific USM library such as Cook Library, the Gulf Coast Library, or Gunter Library.

What the site is for

The site organizes library work into a few clear areas, reflected in its main navigation:

  • Resources — research guides, articles and databases, e-journals, and your library account.
  • Libraries — the individual USM libraries, including Special Collections, Gulf Coast Library, and Gunter Library.
  • Information — about the libraries, services, FAQ, news and events, and contact options.
  • Help and contact — Ask-A-Librarian, live chat, consultation requests, and an employee directory.

Key resources you can reach

Resource What it gives you
Research Guides Subject- and course-oriented starting points for research
Articles & Databases Searchable article indexes and databases
E-Journals Electronic journal access
My Library Account Your personal borrowing and account information
Aquila Digital Community USM's digital repository
Course Reserves Materials set aside for specific courses
Interlibrary Loan Requesting items not held locally
Patent and Trademark Resource Center Patent and trademark support
Special Collections Distinctive and archival holdings

Who it serves

The primary audience is the USM community — students, faculty, and staff — who use it for coursework, research, and account management. Because much of the site is openly accessible, external researchers and the public can also use it to find research guides, locate the individual libraries, and reach services such as Ask-A-Librarian or the Patent and Trademark Resource Center.

Practical details

  • Cook Library hours are listed on the site as 7am–12am.
  • Contact and location: University Libraries, 118 College Drive #5053, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001; phone 601.266.4250.
  • Help channels: live chat, Ask-A-Librarian, and consultation requests are all offered through the site.

If your goal is simply to confirm the site's owner, it is USM's library system. If your goal is to do research or manage borrowing, start with Resources for guides and databases, and use My Library Account for your own records.