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The Ralph M. Besse Library seeks to provide intellectual nourishment for students, faculty, staff, and friends of the community.

Opened in 1985 and named for a trustee and cherished friend of the College, the Ralph M. Besse Library provides a welcoming space to learn, study, research, and collaborate.
An enormously successful businessman, Besse was also strong believer in the value of higher education. His fierce commitment to Ursuline College began in the early 1960s, when he helped raise the necessary funds to make Ursuline’s then-new Pepper Pike campus a reality, and it lasted through his many years on the college’s Board of Trustees, all the way up until his death 2002.
In countless ways, Besse’s essence is stamped into the very fabric of the library, but that is far from the only thing that makes Ursuline’s library unique.
The Ursuline College Library is open 7 days per week, with special hours during exam weeks and breaks.
Have a research question? Not sure where to start? We're here to help!
Article Request is a service to access articles that are not available through the Ursuline College Library.
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Hey there! We've got plenty of coffee, tasty snacks, and late hours just for you to crush those study goals! Come hang out and get it done!
22d
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Hey there, Friday! We did it—we survived the first week of finals! The library remains open all weekend, so come on by and crush those study goals. Let’s make it a weekend to remember!
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The Besse Library building will be closing this evening for the summer. Staff will be working this week to move important services to the Pilla building for the summer while the building undergoes important maintenance. As always, our online services continue to be available.
19d
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We will have 3 more therapy dogs visiting on Monday afternoon. Come say Hi!
21h
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Look Ma! The big crane in taking one of the air conditioning unit off the library! 😮😮
5d
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Library services are now available in Pilla for the summer. Read our blog (on the library homepage) for additional details.
4d
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Library Services hours for the summer.
21h
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Good Bye old HVAC units. You served the Besse Library since the early 1980's.
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Congratulations on your graduation! We're so grateful for your trust and partnership along your educational journey. ~Besse Library & Learning Commons Staff
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