Message from the Dean

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Gordon Library’s website. The library of today is not simply a space to study or a collection of books. The library of today is an exciting array of services, resources, and facilities to meet your research needs. The library of today is also a café, a help desk, a social center, a repository of tools, and a support service. As members of the Division of Academic Affairs, we are deeply committed to the educational success of all students and faculty at WPI. We are here to help. Please just ask.

The library staff provides one-on-one sessions to assist students and faculty with research questions. If you need help defining your research topic, finding books or articles, using one of the many databases or the library catalog—we can help. Our librarians work with faculty to develop customized classes for particular assignments, teach general research skills, or prepare students for their work at an off-site project center. Librarians are available to assist in person, online, or in the classroom.

Our library collections are complex and go well beyond the many books shelved in the building. We can provide access to nearly any published item available in the world. If we do not hold the item in our own collection, or do not subscribe to a service that provides it, we will do our best to identify a lending library that can send it to us, or we will purchase a copy for you. Ask us, we will investigate! Start your search with SUMMON, and we can show you everything that the library has to offer and much more, in an easy-to-use interface. (By the way, here’s a little secret. Working with Google Scholar, we also provide behind-the-scenes links there to many library resources through ourFullTextFinder linking tool.) The library has undergone tremendous changes during the past few years and will continue to do so as funding allows. The Information Commons and café are among our latest additions.

Please take the time to visit our Archives and Special Collections on the Ground Floor. The treasures of WPI are preserved for you there. You can also visit our many exhibits throughout the year. We work with groups from WPI and the Worcester community to display expressions of creativity and other works of interest. If you need assistance, have a suggestion, or want to say hello, please do not hesitate to contact me. The administrative offices are on the Third Floor of the library, and we are always happy to see you.

Best wishes for successful studies,

Tracey Leger-Hornby