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Extended Hours at Mann Library for Study Week/Finals

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Now that classes have ended, it’s time for final papers, projects, and exams – and we’re here to help you finish strong. Mann Library will offer extended hours throughout study week and finals to support your studying, writing, and research needs.

 

Whether you’re settling in for a long writing session, meeting up with a study group, or just looking for a focused place to get things done, we hope the library can be a steady and welcoming space during this busy stretch of the semester.

 

Extended hours schedule
Thursday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 13 (Study Week/Finals)

  • Thursday, May 7: 8am – 11pm
  • Friday, May 8: 8am – 10pm
  • Saturday, May 9: 10am – 10pm
  • Sunday, May 10: 10am – 10pm
  • Monday, May 11 – Wednesday, May 13: 8am – 11pm

Our regular semester hours will resume on Thursday, May 17 and continue through Saturday, May 16. Please note, we will be closed on Sunday, May 17 as we transition to our summer schedule.

 

Adjusted hours schedule
Monday, May 18 – Monday, May 23

  • Monday, May 18 – Friday, May 22: 8am – 5pm
  • Holiday closure Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 24: CLOSED for Memorial Day weekend

For the most up-to-date building hours information:

As always, we wish you the best of luck with finals! Take care of yourselves, take breaks when you need them, and know that we’re cheering you across the finish line of the semester. And remember, when in doubt, Ask a Librarian!

Finals Focus Returns to Mann and Olin Libraries This Spring

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As final projects, papers, and exams ramp up, Cornell University Library is once again offering Finals Focus: Settle In & Study, structured study sessions designed to help students stay productive, supported, and energized during one of the busiest weeks of the semester.

 

Hosted in partnership with the Learning Strategies Center and the Knight Writing Centers, Finals Focus combines focused Pomodoro-style study blocks with intentional breaks to help participants maintain momentum without burning out. Throughout each three-hour session, students can access on-the-spot support for writing, study strategies, and research help from tutors, writing instructors,  and librarians.

 

This semester, students can choose from two sessions:

Mann Library
Thursday, May 7, 1–4pm
Mann Room 160
Register here: https://spaces.library.cornell.edu/event/16696017

 

Olin Library
Friday, May 8, 9 am–12 pm
Olin Room 108
Register here: https://spaces.library.cornell.edu/event/16696693

 

Both sessions will include snacks and beverages, creating a welcoming, supportive environment where students can settle in, stay motivated, and make meaningful progress on final assignments.

 

Students are welcome to register for either session – or both!

Sustainable Honors Thesis Symposium Showcases Student Research

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Mann Library will host the Sustainable Honors Thesis Symposium on Friday, April 24, from 1:00–4:00pm in Mann Room 102. The event will feature Cornell seniors presenting their honors thesis research on sustainability, climate, and environmental issues.

 

Join us for an engaging afternoon of student scholarship, highlighting innovative research and creative approaches to some of today’s most pressing ecological challenges. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from and connect with student researchers as they share the results of their work.

 

The symposium is organized by Eco Artivism, whose leadership has made this event possible. Light refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

“From the Brink” Exhibits Opening & Reception

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Join us for the opening celebration of Cornell University Library’s From the Brink exhibitions at Mann Library Thursday, April 16, 4:00–6:00pm

Let’s celebrate the opening of Cornell University Library’s From the Brink exhibitions at Mann Library on Thursday, April 16: 
At 4:00pm, in Mann 160, Cornell Lab of Ornithology researcher Jordan Boersma will deliver the talk, “Finding Hope in the Search for Lost Birds.” Boersma has more than a decade of experience in New Guinea, where he works with local communities and Indigenous knowledge keepers to better understand and conserve understudied bird taxa. A contributing scientist in the global Search for Lost Birds project, he will highlight recent insights gained from partnerships between Indigenous communities and scientists to find and protect birds previously believed to be extinct.

At 5:00pm, Mann Library Gallery will host a reception with remarks by Mike Webster, a professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences, and director of the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the world’s premiere collection of media capturing the behaviors of wild birds and other animals.

This event is free and open to all! This program is part of From the Brink: Contributions to a Sustainable Future from across Cornell, a series of exhibits hosted by different libraries across Cornell University Library in partnership with other departments and groups on campus.

Art + Feminism 2026 at Cornell University Library

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Cornell University Library invites the campus and local community to participate in Art + Feminism 2026, part of a global Wikimedia initiative to address information gaps on Wikipedia and Wikidata. This year, in addition to opportunities to edit Wikipedia, Cornell University Library is hosting a panel discussion about this year’s theme — We need feminist data to tell feminist stories. Help close the gender gap on Wikipedia!

 

Event Schedule

Join us to learn, collaborate, and contribute to a more equitable and representative digital knowledge landscape.

Mann Library Spring Break Hours

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Spring Break is a great chance to rest, recharge, and take a well-deserved pause in the semester. For those who plan to spend some time at the library studying, working on projects, or just enjoying some free time, Mann Library will remain open with reduced hours beginning Friday, March 27.

 

Spring Break hours will be:

  • Friday, March 27: 8am – 5pm
  • Saturday, March 28: 1 – 5pm
  • Sunday, March 29: CLOSED
  • Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3: 8am – 5pm
  • Saturday, April 4: 1 – 5pm
  • Sunday, April 5: 12 – 6pm

You can find the most up-to-date Mann Library hours here: https://mann.library.cornell.edu/full-hours

 

Looking for another library location on campus? View hours for all Cornell libraries here: https://www.library.cornell.edu/libraries/

 

If you’re traveling during the break, you can use many library resources online. Learn more about off-campus access: https://www.library.cornell.edu/collections/off-campus-access/

 

However you spend your break, we hope it’s a good one, and we’ll be here if you need a place to study, focus, or get a little work done before the semester picks back up. 📚

New Stacks Signage at Mann Library Makes Browsing Easier

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Patrons exploring the stacks at Mann Library may have noticed something new recently: updated signage designed to make navigating the library’s physical collections easier and more intuitive.

 

The new signs highlight subject areas, call number ranges, and unique images from Mann Library’s collections. Together, these elements help users quickly see what kinds of topics are in each section of the stacks, making it easier to browse and discover materials they might not have searched for online.

 

For many students, navigating the stacks can feel unfamiliar at first. Library books are organized using call numbers, which function like an address for each item. A call number tells you exactly where a book lives on the shelf, and books with similar call numbers are grouped together by subject. This system allows related materials to be shelved near each other, supporting browsing and discovery, but it can take a little practice to understand and navigate the library shelves with confidence.

 

The new signage helps make subject areas more visible. In addition to listing call number ranges, the signs include plain-language subject keywords, such as sustainable agriculture, fashion design, or rural sociology, so that users can quickly understand what topics they’ll find in each aisle. The signage also incorporates images drawn from Mann Library’s collections, adding visual interest while highlighting the breadth of subjects located in the stacks.

The project grew out of a simple observation: the previous stacks signage had been in place for many years and was no longer serving users as effectively as it could. What began as an effort to improve old range labels soon turned into a broader rethinking of how improved stacks signage could assist the people navigating them.

 

The new system was a collaborative effort between Marty Cain (now a Reference Assistant at Olin Library), Carson Williams (Collection Development Librarian), and Wendy Thompson (Public Services Assistant). The team combined data analysis, design work, and subject expertise to rethink how information about the collections is presented in our stacks.

 

The project also reflects a thoughtful approach to the language used in library classification systems. Some traditional Library of Congress subject terms are outdated or use harmful language. By supplementing those terms with clearer subject descriptions, the signage helps bridge the gap between technical classification systems and the way users naturally think about topics. The result is a signage system that transforms the stacks from a maze of call numbers into a more navigable and engaging environment – one that invites exploration and discovery.

End panel of a library book stack with older yellow call number range signs, surrounded by shelves of books in Mann Library.
Previous stacks signage at Mann Library used simple call number range labels that offered little subject context for users.

The impact of this project has been recognized by Cornell University Library. Cain, Williams, and Thompson received the 2025 Library Innovation Award for their work developing the new subject-based stacks signage at Mann Library.

 

Today, the new signs help guide users through the physical collections while also encouraging a key part of the library experience: browsing. Because books on related subjects are shelved together, following a call number range can often lead to serendipitous discoveries.

 

Mann visitors are encouraged to use the new signs as a starting point to explore our collections. You might come in looking for one book and leave with a few new ideas!

New stacks signage at Mann Library showing call number ranges, subject keywords, and a poster reading “Food & Agriculture Statistics, Livestock,” mounted on the end of a book stack between shelves of books.
The redesigned stacks signage highlights subject areas alongside call number ranges, making it easier to see what topics are located in each aisle.

Create & Connect Fridays

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Need a creative break? Cornell University Library is pleased to announce a new Create & Connect Friday series hosted by Mann Library for the Cornell campus community.

 

On the third Friday of every month for the rest of the semester, from 2:00-4:00pm, you’ll find us in the CALS Zone. We’ll have supplies on hand for a variety of crafts and media (e.g. drawing, watercolors, felting and other textile arts, zine making, and more). For those who might be interested in a little how-to guidance, we’ll also have different kinds of expertise present at different sessions. Open to all Cornellians and all skill levels — from beginner to the seasoned artisan. Start a new project or bring your own!

 

For those interested in gaining new skills, expertise in various techniques will be offered as follows:

  • 20 Feltuary (err, February!): Needle felting, with Carson Williams
  • 20 March: Collages & zines, with Diana Hackett
  • 17 April: Textile arts for telling stories, with Gabby Evergreen

Drop in for some informal tips and guidance or bring your project ideas to make progress in a relaxed, convivial setting. We look forward to sharing some creative Friday afternoons with you this semester!

February Break Hours at Mann Library

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We’re sharing a little library love this February break 💛 Whether you’re spending the break catching up, getting ahead, or giving yourself a well-deserved pause, we hope you find time to rest and recharge.

 

If you choose to spend part of your break at the library, please note that Mann will have adjusted hours on the following days:

  • Friday, February 13: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Saturday, February 14: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Sunday, February 15: Closed

  • Monday, February 16 & Tuesday, February 17: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We’ll return to regular semester hours (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.) on Wednesday, February 18.

 

However you spend the break, we’re here when you need us — and our online resources and research support are available 24/7. Information about off-campus access to library resources can be found here: https://www.library.cornell.edu/collections/off-campus-access/.

 

Wishing you a restful (and maybe even a little cozy) February break!

Love Data Week 2026

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February 9-13 is Love Data Week, an international celebration of all things data! The Library and Cornell Data Services will be hosting campus-wide informational events focused on data discovery, access, management, analysis, sharing, and preservation. This year’s Love Data Week theme is “Where’s the Data?” – a way to get people thinking about data’s journey from collection through storage and preservation.

 

Panel Event: Where’s the Data? Navigating the Data Sharing and Repository Landscape

February 11, 12:00pm – 1:30pm | Mann Library Room 102
Join us for a discussion about sharing open and reproducible data in celebration of Love Data Week. Funders and publishers require data to be publicly accessible, but researchers often face challenges in finding appropriate places to share data and prepare it for long-term access and reuse. To help you navigate these challenges, panelists from different scientific fields will present on their research and experiences with publishing data in public repositories. The panel will also discuss data sharing and reproducibility, data sharing mandates, the role of data curation, and FAIR data and open science. Register here.

 

Information Tabling

Consultants from Cornell Data Services and representatives from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research will be tabling and distributing data swag, resources, and information. Find us on the following days and locations:

  • February 9, 12:00pm – 2:00pm | Mann Library Lobby | Featuring free ORCID tune-ups!
  • February 10, 12:00pm – 2:00pm | Fine Arts Library (Rand Hall) | Featuring interactive data visualizations!
  • February 12, 12:00pm – 2:00pm | Clark Hall | Featuring consultants and swag from Cornell Center for Social Sciences!

For full event descriptions see the Love Data Week 2026 page.