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Welcome Message from the Dean

It is my great pleasure to welcome new and returning students to the University of Miami Libraries. The UM Libraries rank among the top 50 academic research libraries in the United States and support the full range of research, teaching, learning, and clinical care activities across the three UM campuses (Coral Gables, Virginia Key, and Downtown Miami). Our libraries provide extraordinarily broad and deep print and electronic resources in all areas of the sciences, engineering, medicine, arts, humanities, and design.


Highlights of developments at the UM Libraries this academic year:

  • The new Learning Commons Consultation Zone opened on the Richter Library’s first floor in late spring. The Creative Studio provides support for the Adobe Creative Cloud software applications suite, now available to all students and faculty free of charge.
  • The new Kislak Center at the University of Miami, housing the departments of Special Collections and University Archives, opened in March in the Richter breezeway near Starbucks. The second phase of the Center, including the new Kislak Gallery of Exploration and Discovery, conference room, and curatorial suite, will open on the mezzanine level in January 2019.
  • A project to refresh furniture on the Richter Library’s second floor quiet study space has been funded by the University. Planning to expand the private, silent study spaces on the Richter Library’s fourth floor is underway.
  • More areas for group study have been created on the second floor of the Louis Calder Memorial Library.
  • Furniture is also being refreshed at the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library. A “WhisperRoom” sound isolation booth is being installed in the Music Library during the fall semester.
  • The Paul Buisson Architecture Library will be expanding to the second floor of its present location. In order to renovate the space, the Library will need to move core services for a short period of time.

Student participation and input, including advice provided by the Student Government academic council liaisons, have driven the Learning Commons and furniture refreshment projects all across the UM Libraries. We are pleased that you view the UM Libraries as a key resource for your personal academic growth and development.

Whether you are looking for a location for group collaboration, in-depth research assistance, technology support, academic services such as those provided at our new Learning Commons, or just a quiet place to study, our UM Libraries faculty and staff look forward to seeing you at one of our six locations:

Coral Gables Campus

Medical Campus (Downtown Miami)

Rosenstiel Campus (Virginia Key)


We wish you an engaging and successful year!

Charles Eckman
Dean and University Librarian