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Over the past few years, the library has been in the process of updating our spaces. These upgrades were made possible through the dedicated work of the Physical Plant and through funding and partnerships with the Information Services & Technology department, University Administration, and generous library donors.

• Fall 2020: The Anna Milner Archives and Special Collections moved from the ground floor to the top floor. The move provided more space and convenience, with a new location next to the Pat Scales Special Collections Room.

• Fall 2021: The Digital Media Lab moved downstairs next to the EBSCO Room. The move allowed for more room for students and classes to work on digital projects in the computer lab area. It also includes separate spaces for 3D printing, laser cutting, and virtual reality.
• Fall 2021: The EBSCO Room, the library's instructional hub, was fully renovated with new furnishings and technology. The room was reconfigured with five groups of tables each with student workstations and a display monitor, plus a smartboard and projector.
• Fall 2021: The Barbara Belisle Group Study Room was added to the first floor of the library. It features a table with a charging dock, 5 chairs, and a white board. It has proven to be a popular room and has been reserved to work on group projects, study sessions, and more. (Special note: The room was named in honor of Barbara Belisle, a devoted Shelby County English teacher who also served as the night circulation manager at Carmichael Library for many years.)
• Spring/Summer 2022: The front of the library was remodeled with new windows and entrance doors. Plus new lighting was installed throughout the building.
• Spring 2024: Dorothy Wilson Group Study Room was updated with a new conference table and chairs that can seat up to 12.
• Fall 2024: New Study Room (name TBA), Coming Soon! With the help of IS&T and the Physical Plant, we have added a new study room on the first floor. This room is outfitted with 8 modular tables and comfortable chairs that can seat 10 people. The room also features a large-screen monitor and whiteboard.

We are excited to announce some major library renovations coming later this year, thanks to support from the EBSCO Community Foundation and the UM Administration. With the goal of creating more of a one-stop academic experience, the Falcon Success Center will be relocating to the ground floor of Carmichael Library in Fall 2025. In preparation for this move, many upgrades will occur on the ground floor in 2024-2025, including new carpet, furniture, and offices as well as new and reimagined spaces for meeting and studying. While work on this project will begin in late Fall 2024, efforts will be made to keep the floor accessible for students during construction. The project is set to be completed by August 2025.

We are thrilled that Carol White has joined the Carmichael Library team as the Library Evening Supervisor. Carol recently retired from a career in nursing, having worked for the Jefferson County Health Department, Children’s of Alabama, and the UAB Center for Research in Women’s Health. She is originally from Columbus, MS, and has one daughter. She enjoys enjoys reading, writing, collecting dolls, and spending time with family and friends. And, Carol is excited to be part of the Carmichael Library staff!

We find ourselves in the midst of an eventful fall in Carmichael Library, with an abundance of library instruction interspersed with illuminating visits from authors and poets (including Pat Scales lecturer Steve Sheinkin) and thought-provoking talks at the annual Faculty Research and Teaching Symposium. The library has also been happy to host some of the sessions for the Alabama School Counselor Association Conference and the Alabama Canvas Users’ Group Conference in our meeting rooms this fall.

Such events help us fulfill our library mission of connecting people with information, fostering research and study, cultivating critical thinking, and promoting creativity. We now look forward to broadening the services provided in the building by preparing to welcome the Falcon Success Center (FSC) staff into offices to be constructed on the ground floor this year. Under the leadership of Randi Tubbs, the FSC offers academic counseling and coaching, tutoring in various subjects, student success plans, and assistance to students as they learn self-advocacy. While peer tutoring has been centered in Carmichael Library for many years, we’re excited that these other vital student support services will soon be available as well under one roof! We welcome this change and thank UM students, faculty, and staff in advance for their patience with the slight disruptions we know will occur during the construction process over the next few months.

We are excited to showcase three databases the library recently acquired in support of new programs at UM: the Nursing BSN and the Educational Leadership Ed.D.! Click the image to access the database.

1. An American Sunrise, Poems by Joy Harjo

2. Blood at the Root by Jadarrion Williams

3. Off the Wall: American Art to Wear edited by Dilys E. Blum

4. Demystifying Disability : What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau

5. His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by John Meacham

6. We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation by Eric Garcia

7. Hip Hop is History by Questlove

8. Old Babes in the Wood by Margaret Atwood

1. Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way (3 season series)

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga directed by George Miller

3. The Underground Railroad directed by Barry Jenkins (miniseries)

4. True Detective Night Country directed by Issa López

5. Monster Hunter directed by Paul W.S. Anderson

6. Nightmare Alley directed by Guillermo del Toro

7. Sonic the Hedgehog directed by Jeff Fowler

8. The Super Mario Bros Movie directed by Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic

In recognition of Banned Book Week (September 22-28), the library curated a display of materials and resources that was available online and on the first floor lobby. Be on the look out for future displays related to Halloween and Native American History Month. Or access the online version of our previous display (featured in Aug./Sept.) showcasing Career Resources.

Carmichael Library hosted a lecture by Young Adult author Steve Sheinkin. His presentation, "Confessions of a (Former) Textbook Writer" described the long and winding path from miserable textbook writer to much happier writer of nonfiction books that kids and teens actually want to read. Also, he included stories from his recent and upcoming books. Held on Monday, September 23rd, the event was a perfect fit for Banned Books Week (September 22-28). The following morning, he spoke to EDF 375, School and Society, a class that focuses on issues students are likely to face in school environment when they become teachers. In conjunction with the event, the library's Banned Book display was available on the library's first floor and online.

Check out our interactive book list featuring titles by Sheinkin that can be found in our Youth and Pat Scales Collections.

On October 9th, Michael Price and Withrow Newell, Instructor of Hospitality and Tourism, hosted a demo for 20 students from the Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3), a state-of-the-art career training facility that opened in August 2019. RC3 offers students hands-on training in a structured environment designed to simulate the workplace and prepare them for the evolving job market.

After Price and Newell met, they developed a plan to introduce RC3 students to college-level career options. At Carmichael Library, the high school students explored VR applications related to tourism, including using the Wander app for virtual tours of potential job locations in the tourism industry.

• Aug. 29: AAUW (Montevallo Chapter) Planning Meeting
• Sept. 9: BACHE Visiting Writer Series: Janine Joseph
• Sept. 14: DIY Crochet Day (MADE)
• Sept. 23: Pat Scales Lecture Series : Steve Sheinkin
• Sept. 23: Visiting Author: Wendy Fox
• Sept. 23: Local/visiting authors panel & conversation
• Sept. 26 & 27: School Counseling Conference
• Oct. 9: Faculty Research & Teaching Symposium
• Oct. 10: Montevallo History/Book Talk
• Oct. 16: Journal and Jazz Event
• Oct. 18: Alabama Canvas Users Group Conference
• Oct. 23: Poetry @ UM Reading: Kyes Stevens

In response to a library program review recommendation as well as usage patterns, we recently changed our research help approach. To simplify things, we are offering a one-stop approach to help. Before we had two service points: the Research Help Desk and the Checkout Desk. We have consolidated this into a one-stop "Checkout and Research Help Desk". Students who go to this one-stop desk for research help will be directed to the librarian on duty. Also, at the Checkout & Research Help Desk, a sign displays the librarian on duty and a QR code to join a live chat with a librarian.

Email: library@montevallo.edu
Website: library.montevallo.edu
Location: 75 College Drive, Montevallo, AL, USA
Phone: 2056656100
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