Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the spaces, resources, and services associated with The Learning Commons. If you don’t see the answer to your questions, please email us at usmlc@maine.edu or call us at 207-780-4228.

The Learning Commons has two physical locations.

  • The Portland Learning Commons is located on the second floor of Glickman Library.
  • The Gorham Learning Commons is located on the first floor of the Gorham Library in 120 Bailey Hall. Most services, including tutoring, can be accessed online from any location.

The physical spaces of The Learning Commons inside Portland’s Glickman Library and Gorham’s Bailey Hall Library are open whenever the libraries are. 

During the academic year, peer academic support services are typically operational during the following times:

  • Mondays through Thursdays: 9am-8pm
  • Fridays: 9am-5pm
  • Sundays: 3-8pm

NOTE: The individual tutoring schedules vary because of the tutors’ own schedules and are posted in the scheduling calendar (WCOnline).

The availability listed above is different during Summer Session, Winter Session, and Finals Week, all of which is reflected in the scheduling calendars. 

WCOnline is an online self-service calendar system students use to schedule a tutoring appointment.

USM students can use the self-service online calendars (WCOnline) to easily view available appointments and schedule a time with a trained peer. The Tutoring: Subject-Based Assistance and Tutoring: Writing Assistance links can be found in the MyUSM Portal under the USM Quick Links tab, as well as on the right-hand side of the USM Brightspace landing page.

This resource guides students through the process of scheduling a Subject-Based Tutoring appointment.

This resource guides students through the process of scheduling a Writing Assistance appointment.

Students may also call The Learning Commons at (207)780-4228 for assistance.

USM students can enjoy the benefits of two tutoring appointments per week per subject area. For example, a student can schedule two chemistry appointments as well as two math appointments.

USM students can also schedule up to three writing appointments per week for help at any stage of the writing process, from generating ideas at the very beginning to providing a reader’s perspective on the final draft.

Students pick their own tutor. Typically, students select an appointment based on availability. We encourage students to continue working with the same tutor if they have found they work well together as this can increase efficiencies and maximize the appointment time spent on learning. If working with more than one tutor, we strongly encourage no more than two and that the student ask the tutors to communicate regularly around the student’s progress

The location of an appointment will depend on the selection made when scheduling a session.

  • Portland-based tutoring/coaching appointments will be held on the second floor of Glickman Library.
  • Portland-based writing appointments will be held on the second floor of Glickman Library, room 217.
  • Gorham-based appointments tutoring/coaching appointments will be held on the first floor of the Gorham Library (120 Bailey Hall).
  • Gorham-based writing appointments will be held on the second floor of the Gorham Library, room 223E.
  • Students can also elect to have an appointment held live, online via Zoom. 

NOTE: Both WCOnline and Zoom are mobile-device optimized so you can participate in the appointment via a smartphone if needed.

A couple minutes before the appointment time, log into the scheduling calendar, open the appointment window, and click on the link labeled “JOIN MY APPOINTMENT” to start the online session.

Log in to the scheduling calendar and click on the scheduled appointment slot; a pop-up window will then appear, and click on the “Cancel This Appointment” box at the bottom. Students can also call 207-780-4228 to speak with a Learning Commons Navigator.

NOTE: repeated last-minute cancellations may result in a temporary suspension of scheduling privileges.

Yes! Students can elect to have their appointment delivered live, online via Zoom and work with a tutor in either Gorham or Portland remotely (from any location!). NOTE: Both WCOnline and Zoom are mobile-device optimized so you can participate in the appointment via a smartphone if needed.

With a student’s permission, it is possible to notify a professor, advisor, coach, or other staff member that an appointment was attended. To notify a USM staff or faculty member of attendance, please ask the tutor to share the Client Report Form or email Cristina Kerluke, Associate Director of Learning Support Programs, at cristina.kerluke@maine.edu.

Yes! USM Athletes may either swipe in/out with their Husky Card at The Learning Commons front desk to log the hours, or they can request a copy of their tutoring/writing/coaching appointment note be sent to their coach or athletic department staff contact.

Athletes with questions may also email Cristina Kerluke, Associate Director of Learning Support Programs, at cristina.kerluke@maine.edu.

USM students can visit our Student Employment Opportunities page for position descriptions and application requirements/instructions.

NOTE: The Learning Commons hires student employees in peer academic support roles well in advance of the beginning of the semester to assure that there will be enough coverage, and to have the incoming cohort ready to participate in the training program that starts the first week of the semester. With that said, if you are interested in a position and are unsure if the deadline has passed, please contact us at usmlc@maine.edu.

Our library staff offers USM students, faculty, and staff an array of services to help with research and coursework. For those who can visit us on one of our three campuses, we offer drop-in help finding and citing books, scholarly articles, and other materials. We also offer scheduled one-on-one research consultation appointments, in person or on Zoom, for more in-depth assistance. 

Below are additional options for contacting the USM Libraries team:

  • Visit a librarian in person in Portland – 3rd floor Glickman Library, Gorham – 1st floor Bailey Hall Library, Lewiston – LAC Library
  • Chat/IM with a librarian
  • E-mail your question
  • Browse our FAQs
  • Schedule an appointment with a librarian
  • Call Portland (207) 780-4272, Gorham (207) 780-5345, or LAC (207) 753-6540