Kresge Library Services: Inside the Heart of Digital Resources and Information Support at Michigan Ross
Kresge Library Services isn’t your traditional stacks-and-silence setup. Many years ago, it occupied three floors with a sizable print collection, but today it has transformed into an all-digital hub. From news sources and e-books to datasets and academic journals, Kresge offers a wide range of resources to the Michigan Ross community. However, their support extends beyond online access — they assist faculty, staff, and students with course materials, provide hands-on research support, and help with technologies like Canvas.
“We provide the faculty, staff, and students with the tools and support they need to make thoughtful and logical conclusions,” said Corey Seeman, librarian and director of Kresge Library Services. “Without those building blocks, it’s very difficult to produce scholarship, answer course assignments, or drive learning forward.”
Collaborating across Ross and the university
Seeman leads the Kresge team of 20 staff members. The staff is fundamentally organized into three teams that collaborate across the school to support key service areas.
One team, Kresge Learning Services, focuses on acquiring course materials (such as cases, simulations, and e-textbooks) and works closely with the Registrar’s Office to ensure all fees charged to students are appropriate for the course. Another team, Kresge Digital Services, supports the school’s use of Canvas, the university’s online learning platform. They assist faculty and staff in setting up Canvas course sites, troubleshooting issues, and designing courses to enhance accessibility and the student experience. A third team includes librarians who assist the Ross community in finding and utilizing articles, books, reports, datasets, and other resources to help faculty, students, and staff locate appropriate and useful materials to answer their questions. Additionally, the team assists Ross faculty in managing access to large datasets and provides guidance on utilizing analytics and research tools.
In addition to supporting everyday instructional and research needs, one of the most significant ways Kresge collaborates across the school is through its support of action-based learning programs. Kresge works closely with the Office of Action-Based Learning, faculty, program coordinators, and other campus partners to coordinate research support and information access for Multidisciplinary Action Program teams in practically every program. Including courses with group projects that involve librarian support, Kresge helps nearly 400 teams each year, providing specialized guidance tailored to their information problem.
In addition to its collaborations at Ross, the library maintains close connections with units across campus, including the University Library and Information Technology Services, to provide the Ross community with access to a wide range of university-wide journal subscriptions, advanced market data platforms, and research software. This ensures that Ross faculty, staff, and students can take advantage of the very best digital resources the University of Michigan has to offer.
Adapting to changing needs while maintaining close connections
Over the years, Kresge has evolved in response to the changing world of business education. To continue serving the Ross community in the best way possible, the team regularly reviews and updates services in response to changes in curriculum, technology, or budget — whether that means expanding business data options or improving accessibility in Canvas.
But through change, one thing remains constant: the camaraderie within the Kresge staff. Many team members have been with the library for over a decade, fostering a supportive and close-knit environment.
“We have a culture of mentorship, said Emily Schlaack, assistant librarian. “Everyone I work with encourages and supports each other, offering opportunities and guidance for professional growth.”
Kresge’s staff take pride in being flexible, creative problem-solvers — and they want the Ross community to know they’re approachable and always happy to help.
“We entertain and enjoy pretty much every question that comes our way,” says Seeman. “Albeit, some questions are more entertaining than others.”
“We’re not scary — we’re here for staff and faculty as much as for students,” adds Jennifer Lammers Zimmer, librarian and technical support manager. “If you need a book, fun or otherwise, we’ll help track it down.”
