New! Main floor seating

Archer Library's new main floor furniture arrived late last week! Stop in, sit a spell, and try out the new chairs, coffee tables, foot stools. Conversation areas are set up throughout the area, centrally located between the circulation desk, writing center and IT help desk, and Lyceum Cafe. 

If you look closely, you will see the newly relocated faculty publications area. Below is a glimpse of the new area. We look forward to seeing you here.

Main Floor • Circulation & Reference

We're Back! Circulation & Reference

We are excited to announce that circulation and reference services are back on the main floor of Archer Library. Our new service desk is located on the west side of the main floor. 

• The left side is Library Circulation; you will be able to checkout items, including OhioLINK, Interlibrary Loan, and reserves. 
• The right side is reference; librarians are on-call throughout the day, ask at the circulation desk for reference help and the librarian on-duty will meet with you. 

Signage for our new area is pending, be sure to stop and ask about services. We look forward to seeing you in our new space.

Building Directory • Library Directory

Directory Updates 
We have completed several collection moves while preparing the main floor for planned renovations. To help with navigating the building and library, we have updated our elevator signage to reflect these changes.  Outside the elevator, you will find the sign featured below.  Signs inside the elevator were previously updated.  As always, feel free to ask at the main desk for help locating library resources.

Ashland College Library • Circa 1977

Blast from our Past
Travel back in time to explore Ashland College Library in 1977.  A quick glance at the main floor directory features collections including newspapers, reference books, main catalog (yes, a card catalog), microforms, periodical indexes, and of course, reference librarians and circulation and reserves. Thanks to Matt Portner, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, for sharing this gem with us.

Welcome! 

"The nine-story Ashland College Library and Academic Research Center was built on the site of a former dormitory, Allen Hall. The building was opened to students on January 10, 1972. It is the tallest building in Ashland County and is designed to serve as a focal point for the entire campus. On a clear day, a fine view of the surrounding countryside may be seen from the window on the upper floors."

Some Facts About the Building

Architects:  Ward and Schneider, Cleveland

General Contractors: Freeman Construction Company, Wooster

Construction Cost:  $2,500,000

Ground Breaking:  June, 1970

Height:  130 Feet (Ground floor to water tower)

Shelf Capacity:  400,000 volumes

Study Capacity: 600 students

Library Parking Lot Closed

Beginning today, July 19th, 2021, the Library parking lot - between Bixler and the Chapel -- is temporarily closed to make room for one of the largest cranes this Librarian has ever seen. Work is being done on the roof and Verizon is here working on the cell tower. To get to Archer Library's roof, the tallest buildings in the Ashland, they had to get the right crane for the job. 

The parking lot, sidewalks, and entrances just behind Archer Library are cordoned off to make room for the crane as well as for everyone's protection as they work in the area. OhioLINK deliveries may be impacted by the work as the loading dock is also inaccessible. 

Please make allowances if you normally use those areas. 

New Improved Interlibrary Loan Service

The Ashland University Library is now offering CLIO for Interlibrary Loan. 

If you have any questions, please contact: Sarah Thomas (419) 289-5417.

Library server maintenance August 8, 2019 complete

The server maintenance was completed and all library catalog functions should be operating normally.  Please contact the library if you have any issues.

Library catalog and applications down for maintenance August 8, 2019

Our previous issues yesterday were resolved and we will be restarting our maintenance.  The library catalog and applications will be down from now until approximately noon. A further update will be posted when the process is complete.

Library catalog and applications down for maintenance August 7, 2019-- UPDATE

The library server update is paused, library catalogs and services are still available at this time.  We will provide additional information on the suspension of services when available.

Library catalog and applications down for maintenance August 7, 2019

The AU library catalog and some associated applications will be down for maintenance starting at 8am on August 7, 2019 for approximately 1-2 hours.  A follow-up will be posted when access is restored.  Users will not be able to access the My Account pages or place holds at this time.  OneSearch and OhioLINK applications will still be available.

We're Back! Issues Resolved

All library issues pertaining to yesterday's power outage have been resolved. Thanks for your patience.

If you experience any additional problems, especially those related to off-campus authentication, please feel free to contact us at ext 5400 (circulation) or ext 5402 (reference).

AU Library: Power Outage Issues Remain

Power has been restored to Ashland and the AU Campus. However, as noted on MyAU portal, residual issues remain.  Please note the following:

• No Internet:  AU Library has not yet had internet restored throughout the building. We recommend the Patterson computer lab and trying campus wi-fi on personal devices on the quad.
• Library Circulation:  While unable to access our system, WE ARE doing off-line circulation for check out.  Books returned today may not be checked-in until tomorrow, we will make adjustments as needed.
• No Printing: Library computers are unable to connect to PaperCut and process prints. We recommend the Patterson computer lab or other labs on campus who may have internet.
• Off-Campus Authentication:  We have had reports to students unable to authenticate and use library resources from off-campus locations. 
• Library phones:  Not all office phones are online (VOIP).  It is possible to contact the main library desk at ext. 5400.  However, reference, tech services, the Instructional Resource Center, and some office phones remain off-line.

We apologize for the inconvenience and will post updates as they become available.

Library Spotlight: Welcome Scott Savage

AU Library Director

Scott Savage has accepted the position of Library Director at Ashland University effective June 4. Scott most recently served as interim director of the AU Library after serving for five years as director of Foundation and Government Relations for the Office of Institutional Advancement. His Master of Library Science degree is from Kent State University.

For more information, view the Campus Announcement in MyAU Portal.

Library Spotlight: Main Floor

The outside of AU Library is not the only place where work was done to improve the building this summer. Early this week, a month long comprehensive main floor reorganization project was completed.

We now have a spacious, bright work area on the library main floor with comfortable seating, cafe tables, and group tables.

Where is this located? Enter AU Library through the main doors and turn right; you will see our computer and print stations, copy machines, and the faculty publication display. The area adjacent is our new work / study/ lounge area. We have great green views of Founders Hall and the sunlight pouring into the library is simply amazing.

Print Journals:
Recent issues of print journal collection are located on the east side of the main floor (facing Founders).  Print journal stacks have been moved to the sixth floor.

Library 6th floor:
Student work areas remain on available on the 6th floor. Study areas are located on the north side of the building (facing College Avenue).

Ohio & Government Documents:
AU Library is a Federal Depository for government documents. Our Ohio and Government docs have been moved to the west side of the main floor, adjacent to the reference collection.

Welcome back to AU Library!

*Originally published on the IRC News Blog, Library Update: Main Floor.

AU Library: Solar Panels

Where are the solar panels? Are they being replaced? Are they damaged?

The solar panels located on the south side of AU Library have been temporarily removed to facilitate work being done this summer. Once progress on the south side of the building is complete, the panels will return.

Ask the IRC: Chat

Chat has returned to the Instructional Resource Center. Questions? Ask the IRC chat is staffed by the curriculum librarian and IRC student workers.

Chat hours for Spring 2016
Monday - Thursday: 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 2 pm to 6 pm


Why chat? Sometimes you have IRC questions while working online in your dorm, somewhere on campus, or even off campus. Chat provides opportunity to connect with the IRC quickly and easily while remaining at your current location.

What Questions? Ask the IRC can help with basic questions, such as general information about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Where can I chat?  Ask the IRC chat widgets are available on the IRC main page, as well as on the IRC Services and Pricing and IRC Chat policy pages.  You will also find chat widgets on the IRC FAQs page and several IRC Course LibGuides. How does it work? Easy as 1, 2, 3. 1. Visit one of the pages with a chat widget, click to open chat box, or - 2. Wait. The chat widget will open in 30 seconds. Choose to chat now or click no thanks to close the box. 3. Enter your name, type in a question, and start chat.

But wait ... there's more! Chat will also work on your mobile device

Take time to visit the IRC Chat policy page. It details information about question types, acceptable use of the chat service, and availability of chat transcripts sent via email.

* Originally posted on the IRC News Blog: Questions? Ask the IRC.

Library Entrance: Patio Access

Facilities has closed access to the library patio for the season; the surface may become slippery during the inclement winter weather. Stairs leading to the patio and the library entrance will be closed through spring.

Please enter and exit the Library using the main entrance, south side of the building, near the Auriculum (sculpture).

Library Hours Update

AU Library will close at 7:00 pm tonight, Thursday, February 19th.

Regular hours will resume Friday, February 20th. A complete listing of Library hours and updates is located on our website.

Library systems: Server restored

The library's circulation systems and online catalog have been restored. Please note that down time is anticipated later this week for system maintenance; information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Thank you for your patience.

Library Systems: Server Down

AU Library's circulation system (server) is currently down.  The library catalog is not available, OL requests will not be processed through our system, and it is not possible to view your record and renew items.

It is possible to pick up OL requests, course reserves, and check out general items.  For help with renewals and circulation, please call the main desk at ext 5400.

The OhioLINK catalog remains available; to locate AU library items, use OL catalog advanced search and limit search result location (1) to Ashland University (2).

We hope to have the problem rectified soon, updates will be posted throughout the day.