Welcome to the University Library
The Library is your academic hub, offering research guides, databases, study spaces, and expert support—everything you need to find resources, reserve rooms, and succeed in your studies.
Library Services Information
Quick Links for Current Students, Faculty and Staff
University Library Research Resources
Library Services
Services for Students
- In-depth research assistance from a Faculty Librarian.
- Assistance from a Writing Center tutor available on a walk-in basis.
- Instruction and workshops on library resources and academic applications.
- Borrowing from the GovState Library and other libraries for journal articles and books unavailable in the GovState Library.
- Bindery service for personal copies of Governors State University student theses, projects, graduate seminars, and dissertations.
- For more information on student services, see this Library Services for GovState Students flyer.
Services for Faculty
- Academic support from a Faculty Librarian.
- Course reserves. Complete a Reserve Request Formand bring it in person to the Library with the materials you want placed on reserve. Procedures for this service are in myGSU Library (portal login required).
- Priority purchase requests for materials to support class instruction.
- Course-related instruction from a Faculty Librarian on library research and resources.
- Class tours of the Library.
- Borrowing from the GovState Library and other libraries for journal articles and books unavailable in the GovState Library.
- Graduate assistants may check out items for faculty with a signed permission form.
- Faculty can submit their scholarship and other research products to the Institutional Repository OPUS for discovery in Google Scholar and the greater Digital Commons repository network.
- For more information on faculty services, see this Library Services for GovState Faculty flyer.
Location and Hours
The University Library is in the D Building. Use the university's Main Entrance and walk straight through until you reach the stairs and elevator. Go up to the 2nd floor and you will have arrived at the library's entrance.
Fall Semester Hours
Monday, August 25, 2025 through Sunday, December 7, 2025
Monday through Thursday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Parking Information
Lots 1 West and 1 East are closest to the D Building. All parking is free for visitors.
Holiday and Break Closures 2024
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Mon, Jan 20, 2025
- Presidents' Day-Mon, Feb 17, 2025
- Easter Sunday-Sun, April 20, 2025
- Memorial Day Weekend-Sat, May 24 to Mon, May 26, 2025
- Juneteenth-Thursday, Jun 19, 2025
- Independence Day-Friday, Ju1 4, 2025
- Labor Day Weekend-Sat, Aug 30 -Mon, Sep 1, 2025
- Thanksgiving Break-Thu Nov 27, to Nov 30, 2025
- Christmas Eve through New Year's Day-Wed, Dec 24, 2025 to Thu, Jan 1, 2026
Library Resources
Find more information for current students, faculty and staff in myGSU Library.
Library Category Search
Find books, e-books, DVDs and more
Search the GovState Library Catalog
Search Tips:
- Title - leave off beginning "a" or "the"
- Authors - last name, first name
Other Search Options:
Advanced Search in the GovState Library Catalog
I-Share Catalog of 91 libraries in Illinois (map)
Hint: Select the Databases A-Z Guide tab to find journal articles on a specific subject.
Journals Search
Find print journals and e-journals
The results screen will show you the access available for the journal.
Search tips:
- Use this search when you know the name of a journal.
- Do NOT use the title of a journal article here.
- To find journal articles on a subject, select the Databases A-Z Guide tab.
A journal is a newspaper or magazine that covers a particular subject with articles written by professionals in the field. Journals are sometimes referred to as periodicals or serials. A peer-reviewed journal contains research checked by experts before publication.
Databases A-Z Guide
Find a database by name
Our Databases A-Z Guide is a comprehensive alphabetical listing of the GovState Library's databases and other electronic resources. A description of the database's content is included for most. If you do not know the database name you want, please refer to our Research Guides for recommendations by subject.
Please note: On-campus, databases are accessible to all on the library's workstations and through the computer network. Off-campus access to databases requires a login with myGSU credentials and is available to current students, faculty, and staff only.
- A database is a resource to help you locate information on a topic.
- Databases may cover a focused subject area or a range of subjects.
- Databases may contain either brief summaries called abstracts or the full text of journal articles.
Special Collections
Course Reserves
This collection contains items selected by the faculty for the use of students enrolled in their classes. Borrowing restrictions apply and loan periods vary from 2 hours, 3 days, and 7 days. For additional information, contact Amy Holman at ssynder2@govst.edu or 708.235.7520.
Digital Collections
Digital Collections serve as the Library's online exhibits and archives.
Materials Center
This book collection supports education students and contains reference materials, children's literature, and K-12 textbooks. To learn more, contact Cari Didion.
OPUS - Scholarly Repository
OPUS (Open Portal to University Scholarship) is the scholarly repository of Governors State University. OPUS posts student work, faculty research, events materials, and other digitized materials of significance to the University and region.
University Archives
This collection includes GovState historical documents, syllabi, student theses, photographs, and rare books. Learn more from this Archives Guide or by contacting Kerry Adams at archives@govst.edu or 708.235.7506.
Veterans Resource Collection
This collection of over 150 books and more than 80 films centers on pre- and post-deployment, active duty, and matriculation back into civilian life. The VRC is a wide-ranging collection of differing media intended to both supplement the student veteran experience and promote the study of military life in American society. This continually growing collection was started in 2013 with a Back-to-Books grant from the Illinois State Library, and supplemented by a Noverr Collections Development Grant from the Popular Culture Association in 2015., contact Josh Sopiarz.
Contact the University Library
There 4 ways to contact the GovState Library:
- By Phone:708.534.4111
- By E-mail:library@govst.edu
- By Mail: Governors State University Library
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL
60484-0975 - By GovSate's: Ask the Library
Circulation Department
We assist you by checking out materials, managing loans from other libraries, handling reserve items, processing billing charges, and shelving library materials. Find us in D2400.
Circulation Desk
General Questions
708.534.4112
circulation@govst.edu
Billing
Sally Snyder
708.235.7520
gsulibrarybilling@govst.edu
Interlibrary Loan
Sally Snyder
708.235.7520
ill@govst.edu
Reserves
Sally Snyder
708.235.7520
ssnyder@govst.edu
Reference Department
We assist you by answering information questions and providing research assistance. We offer help with the Library Catalog and databases. In addition, we provide library instruction, serve as faculty liaisons, and coordinate displays. Find our Faculty Librarians in D2402. Find additional staff in C2320.
Reference Desk
Research Questions
708.235.7519
library@govst.edu
Reference Services
Library
708.235.7519
library@govst.edu
Instruction and Workshops
Library
708.235.7519
library@govst.edu
Government Documents
Library
708.534.4111
library@govst.edu
University Archives
Kerry Adams
708.235.7506
kadams4@govst.edu
Display Cases
Kerry Adams
708.235.7506
kadams4@govst.edu
Administration
We are responsible for overseeing all library operations. Find us in D2416.
Technical Services
We assist you behind the scenes by maintaining the Library Catalog; acquiring, processing, and cataloging new and donated materials in all formats. Find us in D2410.
Technical Services
Library
708.534.4111
libseracq@govst.edu
Administration
We work with departments within the university to comply with the State of Illinois requirements for maintaining and disposing of paper files and electronic records. Guidelines and resources for records retention can be found on the University Records Management Resource page.
University Records Officer
Erin Engelbrecht Sheffner
708.235.7515
esheffner@govst.edu
Library Technology Support
We assist you with troubleshooting issues dealing with access to Library Electronic Databases and Library Catalog.
Library Systems, Website Management, Technology Support
La’Shaunda Willams-Ware
708.235.7511
libtech@govst.edu