What’s New With the Drexel University Libraries

The Drexel University Libraries is making some big changes to better serve the University community, and students especially. These changes may just make the library your favorite place to study, do research or collaborate with peers on projects — that is, if it’s not already.

Here’s what you need to know about these changes:

• Joining the Open Textbook Network may help bring down your textbook bill per term. The Drexel Libraries announced this month that it has joined over 600 academic institutions as one of the newest members of the Open Textbook Network, a global consortium that works to promote access, affordability and student success using open textbooks. The OTN maintains the Open Textbook Library, a resource of free, complete, peer-reviewed, openly licensed academic textbooks. If your professor assigns readings from the Open Textbook Library, you can download them at no cost.

• The University Libraries is revamping its physical spaces. Drexel’s Undergraduate Student Government approached the Libraries with feedback on improving the W. W. Hagerty Library as a focused learning environment. Ideas to revamp the space included seeking funding for new furniture designs. A forthcoming accreditation visit at the College of Medicine also prompted a plan to refresh the Queen Lane Library. More information on this continuing transformation is coming soon, but feel free to send your ideas to library@drexel.edu.

• The Libraries’ new cloud-based management system has been implemented. Just in time for the new academic year, the Drexel Libraries has replaced its current online library catalog with Summon, a powerful search tool that will help improve access to all the Libraries’ electronic and print resources. Click here for more information.