Student Guide 2021: Home

The Chicago State University library opened to the public at a formal dedication ceremony on October 12, 2006. The library has an Automated Storage and Retrieval System called ROVER (Retrieval Online Via Electronic Robot).  ROVER contains  about 80% of the library collections (including all of the bound periodicals, Black Studies publications, archive materials, microforms and most of the older books (those published before 1991).

Welcome to the Gwendolyn Brooks Library at Chicago State University!

This guide provides a brief introduction to the services, resources and materials available to you at the Gwendolyn Brooks Library, including information on how to find support and assistance for your academic and research assignments and on how to begin locating electronic and print resources at the GBL and beyond.

A valid Chicago State University Email Address and Password provides access to Gwendolyn Brooks Library materials on- and off-campus. Your CSU email username and password serve as your GBL username and password; enter them whenever you asked asked to sign into GBL databases or the PrimoVE Discovery System. CSU emails are issued to all CSU students by the Information Technology Division; visit their website for assistance with email passwords: https://www.csu.edu/infotech/helpdesk.htm

A Chicago State University Identification Card allows you to enter the Gwendolyn Brooks Library building, check out GBL materials, reserve study rooms, access materials at I-Share Libraries, and serves as your on-campus print/photocopier card. All CSU students are issued a CSU ID card; email [email protected] to schedule a visit or visit the ITD website for more information: https://www.csu.edu/infotech/helpdesk.htm 

This guide is maintained by Prof. Gabrielle Toth, Reference and Instruction Librarian. Special credit goes to the author of the original Student Guide, Prof. Charlene Snelling, upon whose work this guide is based, and to Prof. Rosalind Fielder and Prof. Joanna Kolendo for their contributions to the work.