University Libraries at Southern Miss

Home
United States
Hattiesburg, MS
University Libraries at Southern Miss

Welcome to the official page for University Libraries at The Univ of Southern Mississippi

University Libraries supports the mission of The University of Southern Mississippi by creating and providing access to an information-rich environment that fosters the intellectual development, diversity, and creativity of the University community. University Libraries provides educational opportunities which support the success of Southern Miss students, faculty, staff, and other researchers in their academic endeavors through collections, instructional services, and emerging trends in scholarship. University Libraries has four locations to serve the students, faculty, and staff at The University of Southern Mississippi. Cook Library in Hattiesburg: 601.266.4241
Gulf Coast Library in Long Beach: 228.214.3465
Special Collections in Hattiesburg: 601.266.4345
Gunter Library at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory: 228.872.4213

Disclaimer: While we welcome all feedback, comments will be moderated so please be respectful of comments posted by others and refrain from hate speech or profanity.

09/30/2026

Bring your interests to life in a Special Collections exhibit! Applications are open for the Spring 2027 Student Curator Program.

Three Southern Miss students will work with a librarian to create their own exhibits, gaining hands-on experience selecting materials, writing exhibit text and labels, and preparing items for display.

Open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. Apply by October 28!
Learn more and apply: go.usm.edu/aOWKr7

09/28/2026

Our virtual AI Lunch and Learn series kicks off Friday, October 2, with a timely look at how AI is changing the way we find and evaluate information.

In "Information Without the Information Professional?" we’ll explore what can get lost when AI provides an answer without showing the sources behind it. The series continues October 6 with practical ways to build better research guides and
November 12 with a look at verifying images, video and other AI-generated content.

Find a session that interests you and register here: go.usm.edu/QvTMps

09/24/2026

Open Access Month brings three programs to Cook Library and online this October. Explore accessible ways to share research, try the open citation index OpenAlex, and hear a faculty discussion on how AI may shape open scholarship.

📅 October 5, 14 and 27 at 2 p.m.
📍 Cook Library Room 206Z or online

See the full schedule and register: go.usm.edu/qgUWJq
Virtual attendees must register to receive the meeting links.

09/18/2026

Curious about how AI might fit into your research, creative work or academic projects?

University Libraries is launching the Library AI Access Program, a new mini-grant opportunity for the Southern Miss community. For Spring 2027, 20 students, faculty and staff will receive a $150 mini-grant to access an AI Pro tool for one semester and explore how it can support a specific project or area of research.

Applications are open September 18–October 23, with recipients announced November 6.

Learn more and apply: lib.usm.edu/about_us/news/ai_access_program.html

09/15/2026

University Libraries is kicking off its Nature Matters series with Celebrating Why Nature Matters on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Cook Library Room 206Z.

Led by Nadine Phillips, the evening will celebrate the many ways we connect with the natural world through conversation, nature-inspired poetry and favorite books. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nature-related book they love and share it with the group—or simply come ready to listen, reflect and enjoy the conversation.

📅 September 22
⏰ 6:30 p.m.
📍 Cook Library Room 206Z

Come celebrate the natural world and the connections we share with it. 🌱

09/09/2026

University Libraries is hosting a virtual AI Lunch and Learn series this fall exploring the opportunities and challenges that come with generative AI. Topics range from AI’s impact on research and information literacy to practical ways to build better research guides and the growing challenge of identifying AI-generated content.

📅 October 2 – Information Without the Information Professional?
📅 October 6 – Building Better Guides with AI
📅 November 12 – When Seeing Is No Longer Believing: Trust and Verification in the Age of AI

All sessions are virtual and free to attend. Registration is required. For more information and how to register, visit:
https://lib.usm.edu/about_us/news/lunch_and_learn.html

09/08/2026

University Libraries is kicking off a new fall series exploring our connections to the natural world and why protecting the places and resources around us matters.

The series begins September 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Cook Library Room 206Z with “Why Nature Matters?” Nadine Phillips, interlibrary loan librarian, president of the Mississippi Native Plant Society and certified nature and forest therapy guide, will lead a conversation about our personal connections to nature and the many ways we are interconnected with the natural world.

Nature Matters continues in October with a program on green and natural burial and concludes in November with a look at local conservation efforts in the Pinebelt.

Learn more about the Nature Matters series: lib.usm.edu/about_us/news/nature_matters.html

09/02/2026

📚 Free books for young readers!

Stop by Gulf Coast Library and check out the Dolly Book Cart, where you can choose a free book to take home and enjoy or give to someone who needs it. Named in honor of Dolly Parton and her well-known love of reading and children’s literacy, the cart is stocked with children’s books ready to find new homes.

09/01/2026

Sometimes you need to study. Sometimes you just need a minute. 💛

Did you know we have spaces at both Cook Library and Gulf Coast Library where you can take a break, relax and recharge?

🌿 Cook Library Renewal Rooms offer a quiet place for meditation, prayer or simply a few peaceful minutes to yourself. The rooms have comfortable seating, meditation cushions, and yoga mats.

🧩 Gulf Coast Library’s Relaxation Room is a cozy spot to step away from studying and unwind, with comfortable seating, coloring pages, puzzles, Play-Doh, fidget toys, and more.

So the next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, remember: the library has a space for that, too. 💛

Cook Library Renewal Rooms: usm.libcal.com/reserve/relaxation
Gulf Coast Library Relaxation Room: usm.libcal.com/space/27109

08/31/2026

Welcome Week brought plenty of activity to Gulf Coast Library! 🎉

Last week, students stopped by the library to kick off the semester, connect with others, and enjoy some fun along the way. From the selfie station to a gaming event to an ice cream social, it was great to see the library buzzing with new and returning students.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and welcome back, Golden Eagles! 💛🖤

Address

118 College Drive, # 5053
Hattiesburg, MS
39406

Telephone

+16012664241

Website

http://www.lib.usm.edu/, https://lib.usm.edu/gulfcoast/, https://aquila.usm.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when University Libraries at Southern Miss posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your university to be the top-listed university in Hattiesburg?