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Overview
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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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.
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Library Services hours for the summer.
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Look Ma! The big crane in taking one of the air conditioning unit off the library! 😮😮
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Library services are now available in Pilla for the summer. Read our blog (on the library homepage) for additional details.
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Work has begun to remove the roof from the Besse library. There are many layers to be removed which will take the workers time. Give them a wave as you walk by. It's going to start getting warmer up there.
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It's a gorgeous day on campus! Stop in and say hi to library staff in our temporary home this summer- Pilla 130.
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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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Recently Mara Shatat, College Archivist/Reference & Instruction Librarian was recognized for 15 years of service with Ursuline College. During this time, she has digitized artifacts in the college archives for online viewing and led the efforts to upgrade the archives' database which will also be available to the public soon. Additionally, she has worked with the English department to develop an information literacy program that aligns with its learning objectives and supports the Ursuline core curriculum. Recently she developed and continues to modify the artificial intelligence literacy curriculum offered through the library. Congratulations to Mara and her achievements!
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Ursuline College will be closed in honor of Memorial Day. Library services will also be closed. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th at 8:00 AM.
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