Natural Resources Library 

The Natural Resources Library at the Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth provides information services to the Institute's technical staff, UMD community, industry representatives and members of the general public who are in need of research materials or information related to natural resources. 

Located on NRRI's third floor, the Library was established in 1984 and includes collections, reader stations and staff work areas. With assistance from professional and support staff, clients access the world-wide base of scientific and technical literature.

Programs and services support ongoing research projects and long-term research goals of the staff of the Natural Resources Research Institute. 

The Collection

The collection includes reference materials and publications related to natural resources. Major areas of emphasis include forest products, peat, industrial minerals, iron ore, non-ferrous minerals, ecosystems, environmental chemistry, resource analysis, and business development. The collection contains about 6,000 monographs, technical reports, conference proceedings, maps, patents, and reference tools. More than 200 periodical titles report on scientific and technical research. Representative sources of information include:

  • Forest Products Abstracts 
  • Selected Water Resources Abstracts 
  • Peat Abstracts 
  • Proceedings of the WSU symposia on particleboard 
  • Selected ASTM and industry standards 
  • Mineral exploration records for Minnesota 
  • Topographic, soils and geologic maps for Minnesota 
  • A collection of scientific and laboratory supply catalogues 
  • Census of Manufactures 
  • Thomas Register of American Manufacturers 
  • Publications of the North Central Forest Experiment Station 

The Services

Reference 

Library staff is available to assist with the use of collections and other library facilities. Assistance is tailored to specific queries as well as general needs. Typically such help involves:

  • Interpretation of bibliographic and information sources 
  • In-depth literature searches of computer databases 
  • Finding specific data 
  • Directions in locating research materials 
  • Guidance in the operation of A-V equipment 
  • Formal instruction in the use of information services 

General

Most of NRRI's library holdings are accessible via UMD Library's online system. 

Interlibrary Loan If information needs can not be filled locally, resources are obtained from various organizations and libraries throughout North America and the world. 

Audiovisual Equipment Audiovisual equipment, such as overhead and slide projectors, is available for use in departmental and professional presentations.

Current Awareness Scientists and administrative staff are informed about recent research and governmental and business developments. Available services/tools include: 

  • Periodicals routing 
  • Industry and technical newsletters 
  • Current Contents and other indexing services 

Computer Data Bases

The Library subscribes to or maintains hundreds of computer databases for accessing and managing information.  Visitors and staff may consult our online catalog. Other databases offered by Dialog Information Services are used to find information on scientific, technical and business topics from publications around the world. Researchers in house may access many free online databases, including some full-text databases from their offices via the UMD Library's website. 

Network Membership

The Library is a member of MINITEX, a regional resource sharing network. MINITEX facilitates lending and borrowing of materials owned by libraries in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Membership in OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) also allows convenient and quick access to materials found in research libraries throughout the U.S.

For reference services, interlibrary loan or other information call (218) 720-4235.

HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Susan R. Hendrickson, Library Manager