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Merrill Library Newsletter | |
NEWS
Stay updated on events, resources, and projects at Merrill Library and across UMaine Libraries. Discover what’s new and exciting in our library community!
| | UMaine Libraries launches new platforms for Open Scholarship and Special Collections | | |
UMaine Libraries is preparing to transition from the Digital Commons institutional repository to a new suite of purpose-built platforms designed to improve discovery, usability, and long-term support for the university’s scholarly and cultural output.
These new platforms will better support a wide range of content, streamline editorial and curatorial workflows, and offer a more intuitive and engaging experience for readers, researchers, and creators across the University of Maine System.
Special Collections Integration
Large digital collections from Special Collections will be migrated into the libraries’ integrated library system through Specto. Once complete, these materials will appear alongside the libraries’ other collections in a unified, modern interface. This integration will make it easier to discover and explore distinctive UMaine materials, support a broader range of formats and data types, and enable the creation of new online exhibits that showcase the depth and richness of the libraries’ unique holdings.
Maine Open Journals
Journals currently hosted in Digital Commons will move to a new publishing platform, Maine Open Journals. This transition will modernize both the public-facing design and the editorial workflows behind the scenes, providing editors with improved tools and greater flexibility while offering readers a more accessible and engaging experience.
Maine Open Books
A third platform, Maine Open Books, will support the publication of open access books and long-form digital works. It will host Open Educational Resources (OER), scholarly monographs, and evolving “living documents,” creating a sustainable and flexible home for long-form digital scholarship.
Together, these new platforms represent a significant investment in open access, digital preservation, and user-centered design. They will ensure that UMaine’s scholarship and collections remain accessible, discoverable, and adaptable well into the future. The new services will begin coming online in Spring 2026.
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Digital Object Identifiers minting service now available
Fogler Library now offers a service for minting Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for UMaine System publications, research, and shared objects. This service is available to any current student, staff, or faculty member from any University of Maine System campus.
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a permanent, unique identifier and web address assigned to a publication or digital object. It provides a stable, lasting link to the item’s online location, even if its hosting platform changes.
Benefits of using a DOI:
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Stable access: Ensures your work remains accessible over time, regardless of changes in web hosting or URLs.
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Improved discoverability: Makes your publication easier to find in databases, search engines, and citation indexes.
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Accurate citation: Provides a standardized, reliable way for others to reference your work.
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Enhanced metrics: Allows automated systems to track citations and usage, giving you better insight into your work’s impact.
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Interoperability: Integrates smoothly with academic repositories, reference managers, and publishing systems worldwide.
For more information about DOIs, see the guide, or contact Open Scholarship Librarian Casey Koons.
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ONLINE EVENTS
You are invited to Fogler Library's public events! Stay up-to-date by following our social media accounts listed at the bottom of this email, and check out our website for a complete list of events
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January 28: Making the Most of Citation Managers: Zotero Edition
Join UMaine Libraries for a hands-on workshop on using Zotero, a citation manager that helps you organize articles, books, and other sources, and create in-text citations and bibliographies as you write. Learn practical tips to save time and reduce citation stress.
This workshop is open to UMaine Machias students, faculty, and staff, and others across the University of Maine System are welcome to attend.
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026
- 4-5 p.m.
- Online via Zoom
Register here.
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February 4: Using AI Ethically
Curious or concerned about the impacts of using generative AI in your academic or professional work? Join UMaine Libraries for an online workshop that explores ethical considerations around AI use, including plagiarism, environmental impact, copyright, misinformation and hallucinations. This session will provide practical context to help you make informed decisions about when and how to use AI responsibly.
This workshop is open to UMaine Machias students, faculty, and staff, and others across the UMaine System are welcome to attend.
- Tuesday, February 4, 2026
- 4-5 p.m.
- Online via Zoom
Register here.
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FEATURED RESOURCE
Find unique databases and online resources available through the UMaine Catalog to enhance your research, teaching, and learning. Explore something new each week!
| | Psychiatry Online is a searchable full text database that includes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Library (DSM) Library, scholarly journals, and textbooks published by the American Psychiatry Association. | | | In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5703 Alumni Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System) |
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