The balance of the circulating book collection is shelved here. The Library has over 19 miles of shelving, housing over 450,000 books. A walk through the 8 1/2-foot high book stacks demonstrates the energy-saving light switches that activate the stack lighting as a patron enters the specific row of shelves.
A reading/study area lies just north of the rotunda staircase, and on the south side of the building, there are three seminar rooms, including the Class of 1976 Collaborative Work Room. All 12 of the collaborative rooms are popular amongst faculty and cadets. Cadets and faculty use them for classes, meetings, and group study. A balcony at the north end of the east stack offers views of the Plain and also of the massive custom chandeliers hanging above the second-floor study tables. These same unique light fixtures are also located in the Haig Room and over the Mounger Writing Center on the 2nd floor.
To develop lifelong learners, we have developed a comprehensive program to help plebes become comfortable using the Library. The First Year Experience (FYE) program is part of a larger mission dedicated to educating cadets with the necessary information skills to become life-long learners, critical thinkers, and effective leaders. The FYE Program forms the foundation of the Library's instruction program, introducing the plebe class to fundamental information literacy concepts, Library resources, and services. This program includes a personal librarian program and Library instruction through plebe core courses.
First-Year Experience Program Objectives
• Help plebe class adjust to the academic demands of college life
• Orient plebes to the USMA Library's resources and services
• Contribute to the intellectual growth and success of the plebe class
Personal Librarian Program
Each Cadet Battalion is assigned a librarian who makes contact with those cadets throughout the year to help them overcome the anxiety involved with asking for help.
View our Personal Librarian Directory here.
Coordinated Library instruction through plebe core courses
Introduction to the Library during RSl00/101 Study Skills classes (run by the Center for Enhance Performance), through more advanced tours and research demonstrations for International History classes (Hl108), and orientations to the Archives and Special Collections during English Literature class (EN102).
Class of 1957 Honor Kiosk
The Class of 1957 donated the Honor Kiosk and visitors may listen to the Cadet Code of Honor using the headphones provided. The Cadet Honor program is a central focus of the United States Military Academy's program to develop leaders of character throughout the 47-month cadet experience. The Program's foundation is the Cadet Honor Code which states "A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do."
The Simon Center, located in Nininger Hall in the Cadet Central Area, has oversight responsibility for the Honor Program.
For more information about the Cadet Honor Program, click here.
Next, head down the stairs or take the elevator to the 2nd floor and go to the 2nd Floor tab of this guide.
