Welcome to Cornell University Library!
A new academic year has begun, and we can’t wait to meet you. Below, you’ll find information on all of the Library’s orientation offerings. Elsewhere on this website, we’ve highlighted the resources and services we think you’ll find most useful, whether you’re a new or returning undergraduate/ graduate student, transfer student, student family or faculty member.
Big Red Welcome Fest
Ho Plaza
Monday, August 19: 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20: 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
Did you know that Cornell University Library is comprised of eighteen unique libraries on the Ithaca campus? Visit our tent on Ho Plaza and get the inside scoop on all our offerings and services, plus a map and guide to our locations, and much more!
FAMILY TOURS AND EVENTS
Olin and Uris Libraries Tour
Departs from plaza between Olin and Uris Libraries; 30 minutes
Monday, August 19: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Sign up for a tour
An essential part of the orientation experience, our tours introduce new Cornellians to two iconic libraries and vital academic resources on the Arts Quad at the heart of central campus. Olin and Uris Libraries are home to materials and library experts primarily supporting the humanities and social sciences. Learn about the spaces, services, and resources at Olin and Uris. Large groups will be split into smaller ones. Please note that this walking tour includes multiple stairways. For accessibility needs, please contact [email protected] prior to your anticipated tour. Attendance is capped at 70 for each tour.
Mann Library Tour
Departs from Mann Lobby; 45 minutes
Monday, August 19: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
Sign up for a tour
Why do our students tell us that Albert R. Mann Library is their home away from home? Come on our library tour to find out! You’ll learn the top 10 things you need to know about Mann Library as
an incoming student, including an overview of our amazing study spaces (including 24/7 spaces, individual and group study rooms, and our new sensory study space), how to find books in the stacks (what is the Library of Congress classification system anyway?), and why you should always bring your Cornell ID with you to the library. Tour participants will also be able to enter our raffle for the chance to win some fun library swag. Come explore all our amazing resources and find out why Mann is the “best place to discover 10 million new ideas!” Families are welcome. Tours include a Q&A and attendance is capped at 40 for each tour.
Mann Library New Student Welcome
Tsujimoto Family Plaza, Ag Quad
Monday, August 19: 10 a.m.—2 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20: 10 a.m.—2 p.m.
Get to know more about your library at the Mann Library New Student Welcome on the Ag Quad! Join our friendly staff at the tent on the Tsujimoto Family Plaza for some light refreshments, helpful
info, free swag, and a fun arts & crafts activity to help decorate your dorm room!
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Tour
2B Kroch Library (enter through Olin Library); 30 minutes
Monday, August 19: 11 a.m., 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20: 11 a.m., 3 p.m.
Sign up for a tour
Visit the research facilities of Cornell University Library’s principal repository of rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials! See highlights from our extraordinary collections, and learn more about our research, instruction, and outreach services for undergraduate students while enjoying our current exhibitions: in the Hirshland gallery, “Dr. Joyce Brothers: Mother of Modern Media Psychology” and in our Rotunda, “Sit, Stay: Early Photographs of Dogs.” Attendance is capped at 25 for each tour.
TOURS AND EVENTS FOR NEW STUDENTS
Mann Library Tour and Scavenger Hunt
Student-only tour. Depart from Mann Lobby; 30 mins
Wednesday, August 16: 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 17: 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Sign up for a tour
Why do our students tell us that Albert R. Mann Library is their home away from home? Come on our tour to find out! You’ll learn the top 10 things you need to know about Mann Library as an incoming student and get to explore one of the country’s best library collections in agriculture, life sciences, human ecology, and other related disciplines. Use the insider knowledge you’ll gain on our tour to complete the scavenger hunt challenge and win some fun Mann Library swag! Attendance is capped at 40 for each tour.
Olin and Uris Libraries Tour
Student-only tour. Departs from plaza between Olin and Uris Libraries; 40 minutes
Wednesday, August 16: 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 17: 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Sign up for a tour
An essential part of the orientation experience, our tours introduce new Cornellians to two iconic libraries and vital academic resources on the Arts Quad at the heart of central campus. Olin and Uris Libraries are home to materials and library experts primarily supporting the humanities and social sciences. Learn about the spaces, services, and resources at Olin and Uris. Large groups will be split into smaller ones. This walking tour includes multiple stairways. For accessibility needs, contact [email protected] before your anticipated tour.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Cannabis in the Catalog: A Skill-Building Scavenger Hunt
Online game; self-directed, asynchronous
Starting a research project? Need a quick fact check? The library catalog is your gateway to a big, wide universe of top-quality resources on any subject. In this scavenger hunt, complete the finding challenges we’ve set in place for you to discover some of the newest insights about an old herb, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering Cornell’s library catalog as a powerful information tool. As we really do like to say here at Cornell University Library—any person, any study!
How to Use the Library Tutorials
Online game; self-directed, asynchronous
Learn how to use the library from your computer by completing these fun and interactive tutorials.
Six Things You Need to Know to Use Archives at Cornell
Video
What are archives and how are they different from doing research using books or journals? Learn the six key skills necessary to use archival collections on campus with this guided exploration of the Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives and the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections. From digital to print collections, you will learn how to request and use primary sources, whether for a research assignment or personal interest.
Watch Six Things You Need to Know
Virtual Exhibit of Uris Library’s A. D. White Library
Online exhibit
Explore Uris Library’s gem of neo-Gothic architecture, the Andrew Dickson White Library, in this online exhibit. The exhibit highlights memorabilia and recent improvements to this library-within-a-library, as well as some of the major figures associated with its history.