In the Know @ the Bentley Library

Welcome Back Falcons! We hope you are having a good first week of classes! As you settle back into the routine of studying and schoolwork here are some important library updates, reminders, and tips to help you have a successful fall semester.

New Library Search & Website Launched this Summer

We had a busy summer here at the library, launching a new Library Search tool and a new website in the month of June. In case you missed those announcements, here is a recap of the big news: 

Welcome back, Falcons! We look forward to seeing you in library soon, whether it's to study, borrow books, get research help, print, or just to relax between classes. The library's regular fall semester hours are:

Sunday
10:00 a.m. - midnight

Monday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. - midnight

Friday
7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Welcome, new Falcons! Library staff are excited to meet you and want you to feel at home at the Bentley Library. We invite all new undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students to visit the Library Open House on Friday, September 2, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

In observance of Labor Day, the library will be closed Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5. We will start our regular fall semester hours at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6. View the online calendar for complete information about building and research help hours.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Banned Books Week, a week that celebrates the freedom to read and condemns censorship at all levels. This past year has been particularly fraught for librarians and educators as we try and stem the rise in literary challenges. In 2021 there were 729 challenges to 1597 books compared to 156 challenges to 273 books in 2020. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom notes, “This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials.

Summer session ends this week! We hope all of you are able to enjoy some fun and relaxation in the two week break before the fall semester begins.

The library will be closed nights and weekends while classes are not in session - Saturday, August 20 through Sunday, September 4.  We will also be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. Regular semester hours will resume with the start of classes on Tuesday, September 6. 

Saturday, August 20 through Sunday, September 4

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on some reading and the Bentley Library has plenty of titles to choose from! Want to unravel a mystery? Explore a fantasy universe? Time travel with a historical fiction novel? Learn a new skill?

Search by title, author, or keyword in the Bentley Library Search if you already have something in mind and want to see if it is available at the library.

Commute getting you down? Going on a summer road trip? Why not try listening to an audiobook!

Since 2010 we've been tracking the library's most popular books, DVDs, and OverDrive downloadable e-books and audiobooks based on the number of times they have been borrowed during the academic year (excluding items placed on reserve for a class)*. These annual "Bentley Bestsellers" lists are a great way to discover new books and films to explore!

In observance of Independence Day, the library will be closed Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4. We will resume regular summer hours at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. View the online calendar for complete information about building and research help hours.