General Information

The J. L. Bedsole Library owns over 100,000 volumes, subscribes to over 400 periodicals, and holds over 2,000 audiovisual items. In addition, patrons have access to numerous online electronic resources as well as interlibrary loans from other institutions. Facilities are provided for individual and group study as well as open stacks to encourage browsing and easy access to the collection. In order to maximize the resources and services available to patrons the library maintains membership in the American Library Association, Alabama Library Association, Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, and the Southern Baptist Library Association. The library web site can be accessed at http://library.umobile.edu or via the University's home page at www.umobile.edu.

Institutional Environment

Chartered in 1961 as a privately endowed institution of the arts and sciences, Mobile College placed the highest premium on academic scholarship and the application of information for the benefit of mankind. The institution celebrated decades of growth and success on July 1, 1993, by changing its name to the University of Mobile. Today the University supports a liberal arts undergraduate program and graduate programs in business administration, nursing, education, and religious studies.

Library Mission

The J. L. Bedsole Library's primary emphasis is establishing and maintaining library support of undergraduate and academic programs on any established campus as well as in professional, graduate, continuing education, and specialized degree granting programs.

The library also seeks to provide instruction in research skills that serve students during their studies at UM and in the paths they choose after graduation. It seeks to make the critical pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment a positive and rewarding experience that encourages an awareness of the usefulness of libraries in the life-long search for knowledge.

In order to achieve this mission, the general goals of the library shall be:

To collect, preserve, and make accessible in organized collections a variety of types of materials that support the academic programs of the University.

To instruct patrons in utilizing library resources and to provide user access to needed information located elsewhere.

To seek the qualified professionals and staff necessary to allow for the efficient and effective operation of the library.

To provide users with a positive, comfortable environment conducive to learning.