Mission
University Libraries supports the mission of the University of Southern Mississippi by creating and providing access to an information-rich environment that fosters the intellectual development, diversity, and creativity of the University community. University Libraries provides educational opportunities which support the success of Southern Miss students, faculty, staff, and other researchers in their academic endeavors through collections, instructional services, and emerging trends in scholarship.
Vision
University Libraries aspires to support world-class research, embrace diverse voices, and advance student success by empowering faculty, staff, and students to create new knowledge and thrive in a twenty-first century global society.
Values
- Empowerment – Support student success and professional development.
- Engagement – Provide opportunities for collective interaction, scholarly activity, and lifelong learning.
- Intellectual Curiosity – Foster intellectual development and protect freedom of information.
- Collaboration – Secure partnerships that support or advance the Libraries' mission.
- Outreach – Connect to users where they are, building meaningful relationships that support the university and broader community.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Embrace diversity by creating a welcoming environment and providing resources representative of the diverse university populations.
- Access – Evaluate, select, and provide access to resources that meet the information needs of users.
- Service – Deliver exemplary service.
View the Libraries’ goals here.
Cook Library
The Joseph Anderson Cook Library contains the principle holdings of books, journals, microforms, music, media, and other materials, which support the research and instructional programs of the University. Cook Library has five floors of book stacks, study areas, computers, and access is provided to over five million books and microforms and over 150,000 journals. Library services, such as circulation, interlibrary loan, and research assistance, are available on the first floor, with the collections housed on all five floors.
You can learn more about our history here.
Special Collections
Established in 1976 as the graduate research library, the McCain Library & Archives is situated across a courtyard from Cook Library. The building houses the Libraries' Special Collections. Research services are directed from the Cleanth Brooks Reading Room, located on the third floor in room 305. Because of the uniqueness, rarity, and historical research value of the books, manuscripts, and other formats, Special Collections materials do not circulate outside of the Brooks Reading Room.
The building is named for William D. McCain, former Mississippi state archivist and long-time president of The University of Southern Mississippi (1955-1975). An avid genealogist and historian, Dr. McCain took up offices in the McCain Library as President Emeritus following his retirement in 1975. Today, current President Emeritus Aubrey K. Lucas works out of the third floor offices. Other tenants in the building include the Graduate School, and the Testing Center.
The building is named for William D. McCain, former Mississippi state archivist and long-time president of The University of Southern Mississippi (1955-1975). An avid genealogist and historian, Dr. McCain took up offices in the McCain Library as President Emeritus following his retirement in 1975. Today, current President Emeritus Aubrey K. Lucas works out of the third floor offices. Other tenants in the building include the Graduate School, and the Testing Center.
Gulf Coast Library
The Gulf Coast Library, located on the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, has print and non-print materials that support the research and curriculum needs of the students, faculty, and staff. All of the University Libraries’ electronic holdings are accessible to the students on the Gulf Coast, and materials are available for campus-to-campus loan. The Gulf Coast Library includes over 80,000 books, DVDs and CDs. Special collection include the Gulf Park College for Women Archives and the Hurricanes Collection. Study space and access to computers is provided throughout all three floors of the facility.
Gunter Library
The Gunter Library, located in the Richard L. Caylor Building, at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs provides technical information for the research staff, resident faculty, and students. A collection of 1,663 print journals and over 30,000 books, reprints, reports, and gray literature, environmental impact statements; fishery management plans; and other materials supporting the research and teaching done by the Department of Coast Sciences and GCRL scientific staff are available to support research, education, and services in the coastal sciences.