Services for Faculty and Staff

The Simmons University Library is committed to the support of teaching and research and offers specific services to faculty and staff.

Support for Teaching

Research and Instruction Librarians are available to deliver in-class instruction sessions. Schedule a session by contacting a Research and Instruction Librarian.

  • Introduce your students to discipline-specific resources to support their learning
  • Present the peer-reviewed resources available to them
  • Offer help with effective, high-impact search techniques to improve their research
  • Assist students with the use of general and discipline-specific databases, journals, and other resources
  • Familiarize students with citation styles and methods
  • Develop innovative ways for students to present their research and learning, including zines.

Course Reserves

Place books, video, and audio on reserve. Students can check out the materials at the Library Service Desk. Electronic articles can be linked directly from your learning management system or course syllabus.

The library manages a permanent course reserves collection, and materials remain on reserve until the instructor requests removal. Instructors are asked to add materials four weeks before the start of the semester. Materials can be removed anytime.

Support of Faculty Research

Make an appointment to consult with a Research and Instruction Librarian about resources available to support your research. Resources and topics include, but are not limited to, finding and evaluating new resources, developing data management plans, training on emerging technologies, and getting assistance with searching specific topics.

Faculty Guides

The library has created Faculty Guides to support teaching. Topics include copyright compliance, finding media, research data management, and more.

Loan Periods

Faculty and staff can borrow materials from the library by presenting their Simmons University ID at the Service Desk. Contact the Service Desk at [email protected] or 617-521-2780 with questions about borrowing, renewing, or returning materials.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Materials for teaching or research that the library does not own may be available from another library. Log in to the ILL system to place a request. Eligible ILL materials can also be renewed in the ILL system.

Access to Cultural Institutions

Simmons faculty and staff can gain access to two nearby cultural institutions.

The Museum of Fine Arts

All Simmons community members can enter the Museum of Fine Arts free of charge with their Simmons University ID.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

All Simmons community members can enter the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum free of charge with their Simmons University ID. Advance time-entry tickets require an institutional access code. Contact the library for more information.