Academic Support

30 Library Study Room

University Libraries

The University of Louisville Libraries provide a dynamic, innovative environment designed to support student success at both the undergraduate and graduate levels by integrating state-of-the-art technology with expert faculty and staff. The University Libraries consist of:

  • Ekstrom (Main) Library
  • Archives and Special Collections
  • The Margaret Bridwell Art Library
  • The Louis Brandeis Law Library
  • The Dwight Anderson Memorial Music Library
  • The Kornhauser Health Sciences Library
  • The Rowntree Hospital Library at UofL Health

Each library offers versatile, modern spaces equipped with advanced technologies designed to support collaborative research, group projects, and individual study. Many study and meeting rooms are available for online reservations to accommodate diverse needs. Ekstrom Library, open 24/5 during the semester, is a central space for student life and houses a Starbucks. Other libraries publish up-to-date hours on the University Libraries’ website.

The University Libraries provide a wide range of in-person and virtual services, including specialized assistance for researchers at all levels, book borrowing, and course reserves. Additionally, in-house resources like the Writing Center, Digital Media Suite, and the Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH) Center provide peer tutoring and academic coaching to support student learning. Equipped with professional-grade technology, these spaces empower students to create and produce high-quality digital and print content while also supporting their academic development.

The Libraries’ digital and print collections are curated to meet the needs of the university’s academic programs. In addition to traditional print books and journals, the collections feature extensive digital resources, including streaming media, e-books, e-journals, and specialized collections such as student publications and open educational resources. Interlibrary loan services facilitate users’ access to materials available outside the University Libraries’ holdings.

More information about library facilities, services, and materials can be found at the University Libraries’ website.

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) offers numerous technology and computing solutions in support of University of Louisville’s teaching, research and service missions. Serving students, faculty and staff, ITS maintains campus wired and wireless networks and delivers enterprise administrative and academic applications. More information concerning ITS can be found at louisville.edu/its.

The ITS HelpDesk assists the UofL community daily with regard to technology questions and issues. Need help changing your password, for example? The ITS HelpDesk can be reached at helpdesk.louisville.edu for online assistance (chat, incident tickets) or call (502) 852-7997 to talk to someone during the listed days/hours. With our Service Catalog, you can report an issue or get technology service 24/7: service.louisville.edu. Also within our catalog, you can utilize the self-help knowledge base to solve any issue.

For cybersecurity reasons, everyone must use UL2FCTR (a Duo product), our second factor of authentication tool that is separate from your username and password. Students and employees must enroll in and use UL2FCTR (Duo) to access all important systems at UofL like Blackboard, email, student system and more. For more info, see our knowledge base article. 

Everyone in the UofL community has an Microsoft Outlook university email as part of an entire Windows Office365 system. Enrolled students have options for online and downloadable O365 (on up to 5 devices – phone, tablet, laptop or desktop) including applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams and more plus 50GB of OneDrive storage. See outlook.office365.com for details and login.microsoftonline.com for more about O365 accounts. To claim your email account or change your password to all UofL systems, you must do so through our Identity Management System at identity.louisville.edu. Find more info on how to claim your account in our knowledge base article.

ITS maintains the university’s extensive networking, including a 200 gigabit campus backbone network and a high-speed intercampus fiber network. Wireless service is universally available for University of Louisville students, faculty and staff and guests across all campuses. Eduroam is our preferred wi-fi but we ask that you use our on-boarding application (uofl.edu/setupwireless) to access best options for secure wireless.

ITS offers secure, unlimited data storage free for faculty, staff and students via CardBox. A CardBox account lets you synchronize and backup all of your personal files plus collaborate, securely share and edit easily with other UofL users. See louisville.edu/its/cardbox for information on how to sign-up for an account.

Another great resource ITS makes available for everyone at UofL is free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of products. With this collection of 20+ desktop and mobile apps for photography, video, audio and web design, you can discover new ways to create and collaborate. The Adobe Creative Cloud includes access to industry-leading software applications including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro DC, and Premiere Rush among others. 

REACH (Resources for Academic Achievement)

Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH) is the university’s centralized academic support unit for undergraduate students. REACH conducts multiple services and programs from the Belknap Academic Classroom Building (BACB), Ekstrom Library, and the Engineering Student Success and Research Building (ESSRB).

These academic support services and retention programs offer students the opportunity to better prepare and adapt to college life and to improve their academic skills and performance in college courses. REACH’s mission statement, values statement, goals, and annual reports are available on the REACH website.

SCHEDULED TUTORING
The Learning Resource Center (BACB 250, ESSRB 224, and Ekstrom Library) facilitates scheduled tutoring for a wide range of undergraduate courses. This includes specialized support for the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the J.B. Speed School of Engineering (non-math courses) located in ESSRB 224 and the Ekstrom Library.

  • Scheduled Tutoring offers students small group tutoring and language conversation tables each week for many 100-, 200-, and some 300-level courses. These 60-minute recurring sessions provide guided review of course material. Online options and drop-in hours for select science labs are also available. Students may also receive tutoring for CLEP, a national testing program designed to help students earn college credit for selected general education courses.
  • Individual Tutoring is provided for students with documented physical or learning disabilities who require accommodated sessions.

STUDENT SUCCESS & RETENTION PROGRAMS

  • Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) provides weekly class and exam review sessions for historically courses. Facilitators work closely with the faculty to integrate "how to learn" with "what to learn."
  • Academic Coaching helps students improve self-management skills, including time management, organization, and test-taking strategies. Coaches work with students to develop self-advocacy and independent learning habits.
  • Special Topics in Supplemented College Reading (GEN 105), located in BACB 248, supports students with identified college reading deficiencies. The curriculum utilizes online modules and recitations to help students meet university and state requirements.

MATHEMATICS SUPPORT

  • The Math Resource Center (BACB 241 and ESSRB 224) The MRC offers drop-in and online tutoring for students enrolled in most 100- and 200-level university mathematics courses (GEN 103/104, A&S, and ENGR).
  • Intervention Coursework (GEN 103 and GEN 104): Computer-based courses focusing on pre-algebra and algebra topics for students who need to meet prerequisites for their required math courses.
  • The Speed Calculus Preview Program is a fee-based summer program designed to help first-year engineering students prepare for calculus at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.
  • The Math Xcelerator Program is a free, three-week intensive summer program for students placing into GEN 103 or 104 to reduce fall intervention coursework.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • The Hackademic Series: Workshops and online modules helping students develop effective academic strategies like time management, study strategies, neurolearning, and grit.
  • SmartCards: Online financial success resources that provide personalized plans for financial decision-making.
  • Graduate Exam Preparation Workshops: Workshops and practice tests for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, and OAT.