Berry Library and Learning Commons

The Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons is a modern facility that offers a welcoming and comfortable learning environment. It houses various student services, as well as computer workstations, books, journals, media, and librarians and staff ready to help with your study and research needs. Here are some of the top things to know about the library this year:

e-books, articles in databases, and research guides for subject-specific help. Print books may be requested online via the NOBLE library catalog and picked up within 7 days of notification at the library entrance. If you have a question, you may put in a library service desk ticket. For more extensive research assistance, contact a subject librarian directly to receive help over email or phone, or to make an appointment for an online or in-person research consultation.

Library Access and Safety Precautions

As long as in-person classes are meeting, the library will be open to all Salem State University students, faculty, and staff. Members of the public are also welcome. As of August 2021, masks are required inside all buildings on campus, including the library. Please be aware that campus COVID-19 protocols may change, necessitating changes in these conditions.

Library Hours of Operation

Beginning September 2, 2021, Berry Library is open Monday through Thursday from 7:45 am to 9 pm, Friday from 7:45 to 5 pm, Saturday from Noon

to 5 pm, and Sunday from Noon to 7 pm. Hours may be reduced or extended as COVID-19 protocols allow. Hours on holidays may vary. The lobby of the learning commons building is remains open until mid-night most evenings and is open on weekend mornings at 9 am. For the most up-to-date hours of operation of the library and the learning commons, go to salemstate. edu/library/hours or call the recorded hours line at 978.542.6808.

E-Books, E-Journals, and Online Research Consultations

Library materials are available virtually 24 hours a day 7 days a week and during open hours of operation. Go to salemstate.edu/library to search for

WiFi and Computer Access

The library has strong WiFi access throughout the 4 floors of the building. All tables have embedded outlets to easily keep your laptop powered up. If you don’t have a laptop, there are desktop computers throughout the building. Please sanitize your workstation both before and after use. Disinfectant stations (disinfectant spray and paper towels) can be found on each floor.

Reserve a Group Study Room Online

The library has 11 individual study rooms that you can reserve online at

salemstate.edu/

library. All study rooms are restricted to no more than 2 people at all times. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance and rooms may be reserved for up to two hours at a time (four half-hour time slots). Each room has a powered conference table, 2 chairs, whiteboard walls, and a flat-screen display with Apple T V and HMDI connections. Make your reservation online and then come to the Library Help Desk on the first floor to check out the key-card at the time you have reserved. These rooms may also be used by individuals needing a quiet place to use reliable WiFi to attend a class being held over Zoom.

Special Study Areas

The library has three special use study rooms for family study, a community study room, and a meditation room on the 2nd floor. The meditation room is accessible by ClipperCard and keys for the other rooms are kept at the Library Help Desk. The library also has a comfortable, 2-person lounge area called the IDEA Den on the first floor which usually has a small rotating collection of browsable books on multiculturalism, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

First Year Experience Office

Contact Information: Mathew Chetnik, Director

mchetnik@salemstate.edu salemstate.edu/firstyear firstyear@salemstate.edu 978.542.2618

Social Media

Salem State Class of 2025 First Year Success at Salem State

@FYSuccess

firstyearsuccess

FYsuccess

Mandatory First-Year Events

Wednesday, September 1 | 10–11 am (Virtual) Opening Day: Convocation

First-year students will join the formal Convocation ceremony with greetings from the President, Provost, Student Government Association President, Student Trustee, and special guests. Details provided via email in late August. Wednesday, September 1 | 1–2:15 pm (Virtual) Opening Day: First Year Reading Experience

Incoming first-year students will meet with their professors to discuss this year’s common reading book, “Tell Me Who You Are”. Details provided via email in late August. Monday, September 20 | 11 am–1 pm Meet Your Major

Mandatory event for all first-year and new transfer students

New first-year and new transfer students will meet with their academic department virtually as part of the annual Meet Your Major event. This mandatory event for all new students is an opportunity to: • Introduce students to the faculty within the department • Review the curriculum requirements, recommendations, and opportunities so that students understand the path to graduation • Identify the faculty advisors for each student and overview the process for contacting and meeting with them • Discuss major-specific information like minors, concentrations, internships, and more • Hear from upper-class students within the major • Learn about upcoming events, activities, student organizations, resources, and other department-specific initiatives or opportunities that students will want to take advantage of to help complement their academic experience

Zoom information will be emailed and posted on the Class of 2025 FB page to new first-year and transfer students in early September.

Meet Your Major occurs for all majors from 11 am–12 pm in (Zoom information will be sent via email and posted on the Class of 2025). Students should note that:

• If you are currently double-majoring, you should choose one of the majors to attend and follow up with the department afterward to gather information for the other major • Education majors will meet with their second major/interest area from 11 am–12 pm and then meet from 12–1 pm with the School of Education (see below for specifics) • Exploratory Program students have a special meeting from 11 am–12 pm. If an Exploratory student is (1) sure of their intended major, and (2) sure that they will be accepted to that major they can attend that major's session.

Otherwise, all Exploratory students should attend the Exploratory Program session. If you have questions, contact FYE at firstyear@ salemstate.edu for advice on which session to attend.

Education Majors

Education majors will follow the information outlined below in selecting which session to attend from 11 am–12 pm session. From 12–1 pm, education majors will meet separately with the School of Education.

11 am–12 pm Early Education and Care

Please attend any academic department Meet Your Major session from 11 am–12 pm of interest to you which will complement your plan of study within education. You will follow this session by attending the 12–1pm all–Education major session.

Educational Studies

Please attend any academic department Meet Your Major session from 11 am–12 pm of interest to you which will complement your plan of study within education. You will follow this session by attending the 12–1 pm all-Education major session.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Please attend any academic department Meet Your Major session from 11 am–12 pm of interest to you which will complement your plan of study within education. You will follow this session by attending the 12–1 pm all-Education major session.

High School Education (4 + 1 Program)

Please choose a subject of interest such as English, Biology, History, Mathematics, etc. to attend from 11 am–12 pm. You will follow this session by attending the 12–1 pm all-Education major session.

Specialized Education (4 + 1 Program)

Please attend either the World Languages and Cultures (for Spanish concentration) or Sport and Movement Science (for Physical Education concentration) session from 11 am–12 pm. You will follow this session by attending the 12–1 pm all-Education major session. firsts

MORE NEWS FROM THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE!

STUDENT SUCCESS SERIES

All students are invited to take advantage of the fall student success series, a schedule of workshops designed to support both first-year and returning students in achieving their college goals. On September 1, students will be able to access the workshop schedule in the “Compass” Canvas page to determine which workshop topics they want to attend—from study strategies to utilizing Zoom to enhancing your note-taking skills, from time management tips to discovering the best apps to support your goals these workshops are quick and easy ways to begin enhancing your success skills. This is YOUR opportunity to take control of your grades!

CAREER PREPARATION WORKSHOPS

It's never too early to begin planning for your dream career, in fact studies show that students who engage with career planning during their first semester in college are more likely to achieve their goals. First-year students and new transfers will attend one of four, hour long sessions this fall designed to get you on track to achieve your goals. Sign up information will be sent via email on September 15

MAJOR/MINOR WEEK OCTOBER 4 – 8

Are you thinking about changing or declaring a major? Want to learn how a minor can help make you a stronger candidate for your dream job? This year's online Major/Minor Week will feature sessions where you can speak with departments about their majors and minors: get advice from current students, talk with advisors about how this will impact your progression, learn how study abroad can fit into your plans, formally declare a major/minor, and more. Watch for more details later in September! Questions? email firstyear@salemstate.edu