News and Updates

Library Hours

Hours of Service via telephone Circulation Desk: 301-860-3870

Spring 2024

January 29 (Mon) - May 24 (Fri)

  • Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
  • Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm

* March 18 (Mon) & 19 (Tue): Closed for Spring Break

*May 27 (Mon): Closed for Memorial Day

New Library System and Search Experience Coming Soon

Bowie State University, along with the 17 Libraries across the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI), will migrate to a new integrated library management system in Summer 2024. BSU will move to the Alma and Primo systems from Ex Libris®, part of Clarivate, after having been on the shared Aleph system from Ex Libris for over 20 years. The new system will feature an enhanced user interface to replace the current EBSCO OneSearch platform and Catalog USMAI, and will provide much-needed upgrades to core system functions for the Library’s operations, including acquisitions, circulation, course reserves, e-resource licensing and management, knowledge organization, among others.

The system migration process has been ongoing since Spring 2023; we have now announced May 23, 2024, as our go-live date for the new system.  

We are working very hard to minimize disruptions for library users, but there will be system downtimes and data freezes that cannot be avoided.

Of particular note, BSU Library’s course reserves and purchasing deadlines for the end of the 2023-2024 school year are ending earlier than usual. Instructors may also need to update links to library resources in their course materials.

  • Course reserves. Instructors who are planning to use new material for Course Reserves in a Summer 2024 course should contact Acquisitions staff at elaing@bowiestate.edu before the end of March to determine if purchasing or licensing is needed. This is advised because the Library will temporarily stop purchasing/acquisition of new materials on April 5, 2024. Purchasing/acquisitions will resume on June 8, 2024.
  • Acquisitions. April 1 is the last day for the Library to purchase new materials for users during this school year. Purchasing will not resume until June 8, 2024.
  • Updating links to resources in course materials. Your course syllabi, reading lists, and Blackboard pages may require updated links to resources in the new search tool. We are developing workflows and communication materials to assist faculty teaching in the fall for any course links requiring adjustment.     

For more information, please contact Fusako Ito, Head of the Cataloging Department (fito@bowiestate.edu), or Etana Laing, Acquisitions Library Associate (elaing@bowiestate.edu).  

New Loan Periods for Bowie State University Items

  • Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students
    • May 1st
    • August 1st
    • December 1st

*The due date will advance one month prior:
e.g.: Loans/renewals on 4/2 will have a due date of 8/1
e.g.: Loans/renewals on 3/30 will have a due date of 5/1

  • Faculty and Staff: 180 days

Renewing books and other materials may be done electronically using the online catalog. The LibGuides on Renewing Online provides instruction.

Returning books can be returned via the book drop located outside in front of the Thurgood Marshall Library (facing the Administration Building). 

Student Employment at the Library

 Looking for a library job? We hire students during the acaemic semesters. Library student assistants must be current BSU undergraduate or graduate students. Please apply using the Thurgood Marshall Library Student Employee Interest Form. 

Library Card Registration

Registration and renewals are still required for staff members. Please use Thurgood Marshall Library Registration Form or contact the Circulation Desk (301-860-3870).