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The Paul Meek Library
The Paul Meek Library was renovated and expanded in 1995 as an attractive 120,000-square-foot structure containing
an all-night study area, a student computer lab, a faculty multimedia lab and a variety of group study rooms. The
library collection contains more than 400,000 volumes, over 4,000 videotapes and about 1,500 periodical subscriptions.
In addition, the library is a selective government documents depository featuring an extensive collection of both
print and electronic materials from the federal government.
The Media Services Department houses a variety of non-print media including microform, compact discs and a circulating
video collection. The department offers two fully equipped media classrooms for use by classes, along with individual
viewing carrels for students who wish to view or listen to material on their own. This area is also responsible
for programming UT Martin's educational, entertainment and fine arts television channels, and provides downlink
support for campus teleconferences.
The Alliene and Jimmie Corbitt Special Collections area supports a non-circulating collection of Tennessee regional
history and genealogy. This department also maintains the library's exhibit area, houses the rare book and manuscript
collection, and serves as the archival repository for the campus. Manuscript collections include the papers of
Congressman Ed Jones and the legislative papers of Governor Ned Ray McWherter, as well as on-site replicas of their
offices.
The library offers regular orientation classes for all freshmen, while additional library instruction is available
to classes and to individuals. Library instruction programs include tours, videotapes, lectures and printed guides.
A Bibliographic Instruction Room is available for teaching students about finding, understanding and using library
services, collections and the larger world of information.
Books acquired by the library each year are usually made available within a few days after being received, with
rapid processing being made possible by our automated acquisition and cataloging system. This system also enhances
interlibrary loan service by providing fast access to collections in other libraries. In addition, the library
has implemented online circulation and periodical control functions linked to the overall automation system.
Electronic resources include a host of indexing and reference databases for use by the university community. Library
users can enjoy access to full-text magazine articles through the Internet-based PROQUEST system and the Tennessee
Electronic Library. Other electronic offerings include FIRSTSEARCH, which provides access to numerous specialty
databases, and ABI INFORM, the primary database for business administration.
Whether in person, by telephone, or electronically, students and other library users can find help with their research
needs at the Reference Desk, which is staffed by qualified librarians and available anytime the library is open.
Also visit the university's Web site at http://www.utm.edu/ for a closer look
at the campus and the library.