New Library Points of Pride

 

Library Services

  • The Digitization Center makes previously limited-access materials such as the Western Michigan University U.S. Civil War collection accessible world-wide
  • Interlibrary Loan lends over 20,000 items annually to other libraries nationally and internationally
  • Between 30,000-40,000 records added to our catalog each year
  • Custom scanning and reproduction of maps
  • Extended hours of operation provide convenient access to materials
  • Support off-campus studies through document delivery, face-to-face instruction, e-reserves and reference/research consultation services
  • Drop boxes located across campus for convenient return of materials
  • Special equipment facilitates blind and low vision access to materials
  • Music and Dance Library provides the WMU community access to music streaming services
  • Librarian Liaison program assists every academic college at WMU
  • The Copy Center offers patrons a diverse assortment of convenient items including stamps, fax services, and office supplies
  • Quickly identify, order, receive & process needed monographs for our collection that were originally ordered as requests through inter library loan or indentified by faculty and staff
  • Provide quick access to articles on the Research Article Service List through Resource Sharing
  • Automated library e-reserve services that provide fast, effective use for faculty and students
  • Document delivery services to faculty, off-campus students, and students of the Colleges of Health and Human Services and Engineering and Applied Sciences free of charge
  • Regional resource for libraries and organizations for digitization expertise, project work, and training
  • Generous loan periods for most materials supplimented by online renewal and recall
  • Notification for overdue books via e-mail
  • Easy access for the University community to our online resources from anywhere in the world
  • Free digital mapping service provided to the University community
  • Provide specialized "roving librarian" service to some of our largest colleges including Engineering, Health & Human Services, Art, and Business
  • Free DVD checkout for 7 days
  • Materials are borrowed from around the world to meet the research needs of WMU faculty and students
  • Public printing and copy services are available for a small charge
  • Ask a librarian e-mail and live chat are available on the main page (http://www.wmich.edu/library/)
  • Convenient online order request for new materials such as DVDs and books

Community Outreach

  • Open to the public
  • Host the Writing Center for Academic Support Programs on Sunday evenings
  • Instructional services provided for individuals and classes
  • Faculty and staff support community based programs such as Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, and the United Way
  • Participation in the Soap Box Derby, Campus Classic, Finals Finish, and other "school spirit" events is supported by the library
  • Annual summer picnic in appreciation for University Community's contributions to the libraries
  • ''Gatherings'', the biannual publication of the of the Friends of the University Libraries
  • Active and supportive Friends of WMU Libraries organization
  • Book donations support literacy initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally
  • Friends of the University Libraries sponsor educational programs and exhibits
  • The libraries' faculty, staff, and student employees are active in student, University, community, state, national, and international organizations

Collections

  • Over 4.5 million physical items available for research
  • Provide access to twelve thousand volumes of electronic journals and resources
  • Three million dollars a year are allocated to e-resource access
  • Largest collection of Cistercian material in North America, including complete works of monk M. Basil Pennington
  • Cistercian collection of manuscripts on permanent loan from Gethsemani Abbey, including 61 incunabula
  • Items in the Rare Books Collection date from 2500 BC to present
  • Carol Ann Haenicke Women’s Poetry Collection contains approximately 6,500 volumes of first and early editions of poetry by American women poets
  • Extensive collection of over 200,000 maps and atlases
  • Michilimacikinac Research and French Translation Project collection is the largest microfilm collection of its kind in North America
  • Over 140 medieval manuscripts in Special Collections
  • Approximately 9,000 DVDs, Videos and 16mm Films
  • Quintessential Michigan photos of mid-20th century, including the Ward Morgan and Caroline Bartlett Crane Photography collections which span Kalamazoo history from 1920 through 1980
  • 1,887 maps unique to the Library
  • The Maybee Music and Dance Library houses the archives of the International Trumpet Guild and the Great Lakes Chapter of the National Music Therapy Association
  • Pop-Up Book Collection of over 1,000 volumes in Special Collections
  • Extensive collection of art related books includes over 2000 titles dealing with American painters
  • Over 100 U.S. Army map indexes are digitized and linked to the library catalog
  • Research notebooks of R.H.C. Davis, noted professor of medieval European history, in Special Collections
  • Western Michigan University Libraries is one of only 12 depositories for the publications of the Michigan state government.
  • Over 450 electronic databases available to patrons
  • Over 60,000 full text e-books and over 6,000 full text e-serials
  • In-depth southwest Michigan history collection can be found in the Archives and Regional History Collections
  • The Archives Regional History Collection (Rhistory) is searchable locally through the library catalog and worldwide through WorldCat
  • One of forty four regional depositories for federal government documents in the state
  • The Education Library hosts the complete ERIC microfiche collection of about 450,000 education documents dating back to 1966
  • The Music and Dance Library's collections include recordings of over 1,400 concerts and recitals performed in the WMU School of Music since the mid-1970s
  • The Visual Resources Library is home to over 100,000 slides and extensive visual resources
  • The Education Library offers over 700,000 items and more than 600 periodical titles

Technology

  • User friendly website
  • Extensive wireless network makes research possible for the WMU community from anywhere in the Libraries
  • Convenient Web form allows patrons to make and track interlibrary loan requests 24/7
  • MeLCat, the statewide patron-initiated system for borrowing of books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
  • Capability for color and archival printing of posters, maps, and banners
  • Refworks software automatically creates citations from electronic databases and assists with management of large bibliographies
  • Find It @ WMU manages the location of thousands of online and print journals, magazines, and newspapers

Personnel

  • Knowledgeable librarians and staff, dedicated to serving patron needs
  • Libraries' faculty and staff have notable records of scholarship documented by many professional publications and presentations
  • Libraries' staff and student employees embody the University's commitment to diversity
  • Library retirees often continue to volunteer their time to the libraries
  • General atmosphere of professional cordiality, resulting in many long-term employees
  • Many library employees are Western graduates who choose to contribute to their Alma Mater
  • Of the Libraries' 70+ full time employees, over 30 hold advanced degrees including PhDs and Masters of Library Information Science

Amenities

  • Largest library in West Michigan
  • State of the art classrooms enhance information literacy education
  • 20,000 cubic feet of primary source materials for researchers in the Archives and Regional History Collection
  • Convenient, stable, safe environment for study, research, group work and socializing
  • Over 1800 study seats
  • Faculty study carrels for research
  • Hundreds of  public computers provide patrons easy access to the catalog and other digital resources
  • Large study tables arranged around power outlets for convenient collaboration with laptops
  • In addition to the centrally located main library, there are four branch libraries across campus: Education, Music and Dance, Visual Resources, and Archives and Regional History Collections
  • Beautiful collection of Native American artwork on display throughout Waldo
  • Peaceful rotunda roof garden view on Waldo Library's 3rd Floor
  • Lounge areas with comfortable chairs throughout the library
  • Continuously improving, actively adjusting library services as needs change, offering such conveniences as an ATM, comfortable study areas with casual furniture, group study rooms, quiet study areas, and vending machines
  • Storage areas and lockers available to graduate students
  • Waldo Library and the Stewart Tower are University landmarks
  • Dedicated study room and a personal Ombudsman for the visually impaired

More Interesting Facts

  • Key component of the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies with Special Collections area used by visiting scholars for study and as a venue for exhibitions, panels and receptions
  • Employment opportunities for hundreds of students
  • Over 17,000 reference questions answered every year
  • Actively solicit patron input through online surveys and focus groups in order to address current needs
  • Cataloging of the Obrecht Manuscript Collection (Cistercian)