Description of the Collection

The Library houses a collection of over 392,000 volumes, 15,411 audio visual titles, 358 microcomputer software titles, 974,031 microform pieces, and 5,057 maps, and maintains subscriptions to 1,260 periodicals. In addition, the Library offers access to over seventy databases, most of which are available remotely.

Special library collections include rare books, periodicals, first editions, art books, collections of works by noted local authors including Irving Wallace and David Kheridan, and a collection of 18th and 19th century British and American plays collected by the late H. O. Teisberg.

Collection Development Procedures

The responsibility for the selection of library materials is shared jointly by librarians and faculty. Each department is assigned a librarian who acts as liaison to coordinate acquisitions for that department. The liaison is available to help identify materials in various formats for possible purchase.

New books and A/V materials should be requested using recommendation forms available in the Library Acquisitions area, at the Reference Desk, or from the liaison. These forms are to be filled out with as much information as available and sent to the liaison. Requests can also be emailed in using a web request form. The requestor will be notified when items have been processed and are ready to circulate. Contact your liaison to discuss requests for new periodical subscriptions.

New books are normally sent to the new book shelf for four weeks. If a requestor wishes to have the book held for him/her after processing, HOLD should be written in the "Comments" area of the request card. The book will then be held one week at the Check-out Desk before being sent to the new book shelf.