Mitchell Memorial Library

What Mitchell Memorial Library does

Mitchell Memorial Library is the main library of Mississippi State University (MSU), operating as part of MSU Libraries, a public, state-funded library system located in Mississippi State (Starkville), Mississippi. It serves MSU undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, alumni, and broader community members, with services spanning circulation, course reserves, research consultation, scholarly communication, and instruction. The library also houses the Archives and Special Collections department, which curates unique holdings such as the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Collection, the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, the John Grisham Collection, and the Myrna Colley-Lee Costume Collection, and operates as a designated USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Center.

The library's product portfolio is built on a layered technology stack: a SIRSI-powered Online Catalog, an EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) federated search layer, an Atlas Systems ILLiad interlibrary loan system, and the Scholars Junction institutional repository hosting theses, dissertations, open-access journals, and digital collections. Discovery and access extend to more than 30 licensed database vendors, including EBSCO, Gale-Cengage, ProQuest, JSTOR, and Adam Matthew. Service facilities include the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center (multimedia workstations, VR/Gaming Studio, AV/TV studios, 3D printing, Glowforge, wide-format printing, and a makerspace), the Writing Center, research guides via LibGuides, ETD formatting support, data management services (DMPTool, ORCID, OpenRefine), and the Bob and Kathy Luke Architecture, Art and Design Library branch. The library integrates with Canvas LMS for embedded instruction and configures Google Scholar library links for full-text routing.

Mitchell's revenue model is institutional rather than commercial. Primary funding flows through Mississippi State University's state appropriations, supplemented by research grants and sponsored programs. Transactional revenue is incidental: $20 annual courtesy cards for community members, $2 per-item equipment checkout fees, $10/day equipment late fees, scanning and archive reproduction fees ($0.20/page for reference scans; $5–$60/item for high-resolution and A/V reproductions), and wide-format printing rush surcharges ($25 same-day, $10 next-day). In April 2026 the library was elected to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), becoming the only Mississippi university with ARL membership, and it is a charter member of the Mississippi Library Partnership consortium. The go-to-market motion is community-led: services are distributed through on-campus physical locations, the library website, VPN-enabled remote access, and partner-driven interlibrary loan.

Name

Mitchell Memorial Library

Legal name

Mississippi State University Libraries

Website

https://library.msstate.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mitchell Memorial Library is the main library of Mississippi State University, serving MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members through research collections, digital access systems, scholarly publishing infrastructure, and unique special collections including the Grant Presidential and Lincolniana archives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Humanities & Arts Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Academic library services
• Research database access
• Special collections archives
• Interlibrary loan services
• Institutional repository

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississippi State

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. University Funding: Primary funding from Mississippi State University operating budget as a university library system
2. Library Services Fees: Fees collected for courtesy cards ($20 annual), printing, equipment checkout, and special services
3. Grant and Sponsored Programs: Funding from research grants and sponsored programs supporting library collections and services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mitchell Memorial Library is the primary research library of Mississippi State University, providing access to physical and digital collections, research databases, special collections, and interlibrary loan services. It operates an institutional repository (Scholars Junction), an electronic library system (SIRSI catalog and EBSCO Discovery), archives and special collections, and a MaxxSouth Digital Media Center with multimedia, VR, 3D printing, and makerspace equipment. The library delivers research support, course reserves, writing assistance, scholarly communication services, patent and trademark resources, and open-access journal hosting primarily to MSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Product overview

Mitchell Memorial Library is the primary library of Mississippi State University, operating as a unified library system with one main facility (Mitchell Memorial Library) and one specialized branch (Bob and Kathy Luke Architecture, Art and Design Library). The library's product portfolio centers on information access infrastructure — the SIRSI-powered Online Catalog and EBSCO Discovery layer provide unified search across physical and digital holdings; Scholar's Junction serves as the institutional repository for ETDs, open-access journals, and digital collections; and the ILLiad system manages interlibrary loans. Beyond discovery, the library offers a broad suite of services including the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center (multimedia workstations, studios, VR, 3D printing, wide-format printing, and a makerspace), Archives and Special Collections with a Digitization Lab, research guides via LibGuides, patent/trademark resources, data management support, open-access journal hosting, and traditional circulation/reserve services. The system also supports remote access via VPN and Canvas LMS integration for embedded instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mitchell Memorial Library: The main library building at Mississippi State University, named Mitchell Memorial Library.

Products and services

• Mitchell Memorial Library The main library building at Mississippi State University, housing the primary collection, Access and Information desk, Archives and Special Collections, the Digitization Lab, the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center, and the Writing Center. It serves as the central hub for research, instruction, and community engagement.
• Bob and Kathy Luke Architecture, Art and Design Library A specialized branch library serving the College of Art, Architecture, and Design at Mississippi State University, located at 899 Collegeview. Holds collections of periodicals, reserve readings, journals, maps, drawings, and media, with dedicated research guides and course reserves.
• Online Catalog The SIRSI-powered catalog providing access to print and electronic books, video, theses and dissertations, special collections, and items held by MSU and partner libraries. Accessible at mlp.ent.sirsi.net with NetID authentication for off-campus access.
• Discovery An EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) layer providing unified access to the catalog, digital collections, theses and dissertations, and the library's major databases. Supports full-text and peer-reviewed filtering options.
• Scholar's Junction Institutional Repository MSU's institutional repository (Scholar's Junction) managed by the library, hosting theses and dissertations, faculty publications, open-access journals, digital collections, and archival materials. Integrates with Scholars Junction for self-deposit and mediated submission workflows.
• Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) An electronic interlibrary loan system (ILLiad by Atlas Systems) enabling patrons to request materials from other libraries. Supports electronic delivery of articles in PDF format and a web-based request tracking interface. Requires NetID/NetPassword authentication.
• Archives and Special Collections Department within Mitchell Memorial Library housing rare and unique historical materials, including the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Collection, the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, the Charles H. Templeton Music Museum, and the John Grisham Collection. Services include research appointments, material digitization, and permission to publish.
• MaxxSouth Digital Media Center A technology and media hub within Mitchell Memorial Library offering multimedia workstations (PCs and Macs), AV/TV studios, a collaboration studio, a Virtual Reality and Gaming Studio, 3D printing (Glowforge and standard printers), die-cutting, sewing machines, wide-format printing, and makerspace consultations. Manages the library's physical and digital media equipment lending.
• Course Reserves Materials placed on reserve by instructors for student use, including books, media, and course readings. Available in traditional print format (closed reserve, 2-day, 24-hour checkout) and electronic reserves (e-reserves) accessible through the catalog.
• Research Guides (LibGuides) Curated, subject-specific guides created by librarians covering research strategies, databases, citation styles, and resources. Includes course supplement guides, subject guides, and how-to tutorials. Available through the LibGuides platform.
• ETD Submission and Formatting Service Support for graduate students submitting Electronic Theses and Dissertations, including formatting templates, tutorials (YouTube playlist), and one-on-one formatting consultations. Submission is handled through Scholar's Junction.
• Open Access Journal Hosting The library hosts open-access journals through Scholar's Junction, including Emancipations, The Rural Educator, Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, and Journal of Public Health in the Deep South. Includes a journal hosting consultation service.
• Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) Designated as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center by the USPTO, providing access to patent databases, trademark resources, and specialist support for intellectual property research.
• Wide-Format Printing Canon imagePROGRAF 4100S-based printing service producing posters, banners, and large-format signage up to 44" x 80'. Supports matte paper, photo paper, and adhesive substrates. Rush fees apply for same-day or next-day printing.
• Makerspace and 3D Printing The library's makerspace offers 3D printing (standard FDM and Glowforge laser cutting/engraving), die-cutting (Cricut), sewing machines (Janome HD), and button-making. Consultations are required and available via online form.

Quantifiable outcome

• Elected to Association of Research Libraries - only Mississippi university with ARL membership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pontifical University AntonianumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026International partnership hosting a delegation from Pontifical University Antonianum to showcase MSU Libraries' collections and services including the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, Williams Collection of Lincolniana, and Digitization Lab.
• Mississippi Library PartnershipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharter member of consortium enabling interlibrary loan, resource sharing, and borrowing privileges with participating Mississippi libraries including MUW, MSMS, EMCC, and SHS.
• Database Vendors (EBSCO, Gale-Cengage, ProQuest, JSTOR, etc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed access to academic databases from vendors including EBSCO (54 databases), Gale-Cengage (299 databases), JSTOR, Project MUSE, and numerous other publishers and aggregators.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Mississippi Libraries: The University of Mississippi's library system serves the state's other major public research university in Oxford, MS. Operates under similar SEC academic context and comparable land-grant-adjacent public university mission, providing direct comparison for collection scope, special collections holdings, and research services at a Mississippi peer institution.
• University of Tennessee Libraries: The University of Tennessee Libraries serves a comparable Southeastern SEC public research university with similar scale and collection depth. Direct comparable for academic library operations in the regional peer group.
• University of Alabama Libraries: The University of Alabama Libraries serves a comparable Southeastern public research university with similar SEC Athletic conference positioning, student population scale, and land-grant-adjacent research mission. Comparable in scope of special collections, database subscriptions, and digitization programs.
• LSU Libraries: LSU Libraries serves Louisiana's flagship land-grant and SEC peer institution with comparable research collection scope, special collections depth, and historical manuscript holdings. Direct comparable on scale of operations and institutional positioning within the SEC.
• Texas A&M University Libraries: Texas A&M University Libraries serves a comparable major SEC land-grant research university with similar institutional mission, scale, and research library investment profile. Strong benchmark for collection scope, digital initiatives, and special collections depth at a peer land-grant institution.
• University of Georgia Libraries: The University of Georgia Libraries serves a flagship Southeastern public research university with comparable ARL-eligible research profile, similar size, and analogous special collections investments. Provides direct benchmark for academic library operations at a major SEC peer.
• Auburn University Libraries: Auburn University Libraries serves a Southeastern SEC peer institution with similar land-grant heritage and comparable undergraduate-focused research university profile. Closely comparable in size, special collections investment, and ARL-eligible research library operations.
• University of Florida Libraries: The University of Florida Libraries serves a flagship Southeastern public research university with comparable ARL membership profile, similar research-intensive scope, and analogously broad special collections. Direct peer for benchmarking research support services and scholarly communications offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Vanderbilt University Libraries: Vanderbilt University Libraries serves a major private research university in the same Southeastern region with substantially greater endowment and longer-established special collections. Comparable in research-tier scope but operates at larger scale with private-institution funding flexibility that MSU Libraries lacks.
• Duke University Libraries: Duke University Libraries operates one of the leading private research libraries in the Southeast with nationally recognized special collections, advanced digital scholarship programs, and substantially greater resources. Comparable as a research-intensive academic library benchmark but operates at meaningfully larger scale with private-institution flexibility.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/msu_libraries
• YouTubeyoutube.com/msulib
• Facebookfacebook.com/msulibrary
• Instagraminstagram.com/msstatelibraries
• Pinterestpinterest.com/MsStateLibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mitchell-memorial-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mitchell Memorial Library