Graduate Library Resources
Navigating the Universe of Knowledge
At The University of Ontological Science, our library system serves as the intellectual heart of the university—a dynamic ecosystem of resources, expertise, and spaces designed specifically to support advanced research in ontological science and related disciplines. Beyond mere collections, the TUOS Libraries function as active partners in your scholarly journey, providing specialized tools, services, and environments that facilitate deep inquiry into questions of consciousness, reality, and human experience. This guide introduces the comprehensive library resources available to graduate students conducting sophisticated research in these challenging domains.
Collections & Access
Specialized Research Collections
Curated resources supporting ontological inquiry:
- Philosophy of Mind Archive: Comprehensive collection of consciousness studies literature
- Phenomenology Research Collection: Classical and contemporary phenomenological works
- Metaphysics & Ontology Library: Extensive holdings in theoretical frameworks of reality
- Cross-Cultural Consciousness Studies Collection: Global perspectives on mind and awareness
- Historical Ontologies Archive: Primary sources from diverse philosophical traditions
- Applied Ontology Collection: Practical applications of ontological frameworks
Digital Resources
Extensive online research materials:
- Over 500,000 e-books in philosophy, cognitive science, and related fields
- Subscription access to 300+ specialized journals in consciousness studies
- Streaming media collection of lectures, interviews, and conferences
- Digital archives of historical philosophical manuscripts and correspondence
- Specialized databases including PhilPapers, Mind & Cognition Index, and Ontological Sciences Citation Index
- Comprehensive access to dissertation and thesis repositories worldwide
Interlibrary Partnerships
Expanding your research beyond our collections:
- Expedited interlibrary loan with 48-hour digital delivery for articles
- Borrowing privileges at 35 partner research institutions
- Global document delivery service for rare materials
- Visiting scholar access to specialized collections internationally
- Cooperative digitization projects increasing access to rare works
- Collaborative collection development with leading research libraries
Research Support Services
Research Consultation Services
Personalized assistance from subject specialists:
- One-on-one research consultations with philosophy and consciousness studies librarians
- Literature review planning and systematic search strategy development
- Assistance identifying appropriate theoretical frameworks
- Guidance on accessing obscure or specialized resources
- Interdisciplinary research navigation across relevant fields
- Support for comprehensive examination preparation
Advanced Research Methods Support
Specialized assistance for sophisticated methodologies:
- Text analysis and corpus linguistics tools for philosophical texts
- Qualitative data analysis software training and support
- Digital humanities approaches to philosophical inquiry
- Citation network analysis for mapping theoretical lineages
- Historical methods for philosophical research
- Mixed-methods research design consultation
Scholarly Communication Services
Support for sharing your research effectively:
- Open access publishing consultation and funding
- Journal selection guidance for manuscript submission
- Citation impact analysis for publication strategy
- Author rights and intellectual property advising
- Digital repository services for research data and publications
- ORCID integration and scholarly identity management
Specialized Research Technologies
Digital Scholarship Lab
Advanced tools for innovative research approaches:
- Text mining and natural language processing software for philosophical corpora
- Visualization tools for conceptual mapping and theoretical relationships
- High-performance computing access for complex analyses
- Virtual reality stations for experimental phenomenology
- Audio analysis tools for spoken philosophical discourse
- Digital collaboration environments for research teams
Data Services Center
Support for research data throughout its lifecycle:
- Research data management planning assistance
- Secure storage solutions for sensitive phenomenological data
- Data organization and documentation consultation
- Data visualization design for complex philosophical concepts
- Long-term preservation strategies for research outputs
- Data sharing platforms compliant with funder requirements
Multimedia Production Studio
Resources for creating research-related media:
- Professional-quality audio recording for interviews and oral histories
- Video production facilities for research presentations and demonstrations
- Podcast production support for philosophical dialogues
- Graphic design assistance for conceptual illustrations
- Interactive digital exhibit creation tools
- Digitization services for analog research materials
Research Spaces & Environments
Graduate Research Commons
Dedicated spaces for advanced scholarship:
- 24/7 access to graduate-only research environments
- Individual research carrels available by semester application
- Collaborative research rooms with reservation system
- Quiet contemplation spaces for deep theoretical work
- Standing desks and ergonomic workstations
- Secure storage lockers for research materials
Specialized Research Environments
Purpose-designed spaces for specific needs:
- Phenomenology Research Suite with controlled sensory environment
- Historical Manuscripts Reading Room with specialized handling facilities
- Digital Humanities Studio with large-scale visualization capabilities
- Group Dialogue Rooms designed for philosophical discussion
- Long-term Project Spaces for ongoing research teams
- Contemplative Research Areas for meditative inquiry
Writing & Composition Spaces
Environments supporting scholarly production:
- Dissertation Writing Room with supportive community
- Individual writing pods for focused composition
- Reference management workstations with specialized software
- Editor’s Studio for manuscript preparation and revision
- Publishing Workshop for final document preparation
- Celebration Space for completed scholarly achievements
Skills Development & Training
Research Methods Workshops
Regular training in advanced research approaches:
- Literature Review Methodology for Philosophical Research
- Systematic Approaches to Ontological Inquiry
- Digital Methods in Consciousness Studies
- Archival Research in Philosophy
- Cross-disciplinary Research Design
- Phenomenological Research Protocols
Information Literacy Development
Building sophisticated research capabilities:
- Advanced Search Strategies for Philosophical Literature
- Critical Evaluation of Ontological Arguments
- Source Documentation Across Disciplines
- Citation Management for Complex Projects
- Navigating Interdisciplinary Research Landscapes
- Ethical Use of Sources and Intellectual Property
Technological Skills Enhancement
Training in specialized research tools:
- Reference Management Software (EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley)
- Qualitative Analysis Tools (NVivo, Atlas.ti)
- Text Analysis Software for Philosophical Corpora
- Visualization Programs for Conceptual Mapping
- Collaborative Writing Platforms
- Digital Publishing Tools and Frameworks
Special Collections & Archives
Rare Philosophical Manuscripts
Access to unique historical materials:
- Original manuscripts from significant ontological thinkers
- Personal libraries and annotated volumes of notable philosophers
- Historical correspondence between major theoretical figures
- Unpublished lectures and teaching materials
- Development drafts showing evolution of key ideas
- Private journals and notebooks of consciousness researchers
Consciousness Studies Archive
Preserving the history of the field:
- Complete proceedings of the International Consciousness Studies Association
- Laboratory notebooks from pioneering consciousness researchers
- Oral histories with foundational figures in the field
- Historical instruments and apparatus for consciousness experiments
- Private papers of significant consciousness theorists
- Documented first-person accounts of altered states of consciousness
TUOS Institutional Repository
Archive of the university’s intellectual output:
- Complete collection of TUOS dissertations and theses
- Faculty publications and research outputs
- Conference proceedings from TUOS-hosted events
- Special lecture series and invited presentations
- Historical records of the university’s ontological science programs
- Collaborative research projects with partner institutions
Accessing Library Resources
The Graduate Research Library is located in the Husserl Building and is open to graduate students 24 hours a day with your student ID. The main service desk is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
All electronic resources can be accessed off-campus through the library portal (library.tuos.edu) using your university credentials. For specialized research needs, subject librarians are available for scheduled consultations in person or virtually.
New graduate students are strongly encouraged to schedule a Research Orientation Consultation within their first semester to become familiar with the specific resources most relevant to their research interests. These personalized sessions can be scheduled through the online appointment system on the library website.
At TUOS, we view the library not as a passive repository but as an active research partner and collaborative space where the pursuit of ontological understanding is supported, enriched, and preserved. The resources, services, and environments of the TUOS Libraries are continually evolving to support the sophisticated and challenging nature of research in consciousness, reality, and the fundamental questions of existence.