Wichita State University

Library

Does the school have a library on campus? – Yes
Is it a member of a library consortia? – Yes
Number of books, serial backfiles, and other material including government documents: 1,680,529
Number of current serial subscriptions: 20,361
Number of microforms: 1,174,526
Number of audiovisuals: 33,297
Number of ebooks: 9,961
Other library facilities: Building Facts:
Ablah Library building size: 157,924 square feet
Construction date: 1962, addition added in 1989
Edmiston 24-Hour Study Room added: 1999
Seating capacity: 800
Group study rooms: 23
Faculty carrels: 40
Public use computers/scholar’s workstations: 130

Museums or other Special Academic Buildings on Campus: The 330-acre campus is modern and accessible and at the same time retains the flavor of the University’s 107-year heritage. More than 60 pieces of sculpture by internationally known artists adorn the campus. Personnages Oiseaux, a colorful mural created by the great Spanish artist Joan Miro, is displayed on the wall of the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art.Aviation has been in the blood of the Wichita community for many years, and since 1985 the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University has been its pulse. Since that time, we have made a name for ourselves as one of the few state-of-the art aviation research centers in the United States recognized for our contributions to aviation safety and performance. We are proud to hold this unique status and to be part of the continuing research, technology and education available today. NIAR is a unit within the administrative structure of Wichita State, located on the campus and reporting to the Office of Academic Affairs and Research through the associate vice president for research. This academic connection gives us a unique advantage over other aviation research institutions. We are also located in a city recognized as the Air Capital of the World. Through these connections, NIAR integrates university, government and business entities in cooperative efforts to advance technologies for aviation and other industries. We are a high-tech research, development, testing, certification and learning center.The Institute employs approximately 60 professionals with Ph.D.s, 30 with master’s degrees and 70 with bachelor’s degrees. With a full-time staff of 120 and nearly 100 student and graduate research assistants, NIAR is well-equipped to meet the changing needs of aviation and non-aviation businesses.We are also proud to hold three FAA centers of excellence designations. Together, they promote the safety, research, manufacturing and design elements of today’s aviation industry. These include the FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation Research (CGAR), an Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence (AACE) and most recently a Center of Excellence in Composites and Advanced Materials (CECAM). In 2001, we were awarded the prestigious FAA Excellence in Aviation Institutional Award for our ability to partner with industry, academia and government to advance aviation research. We are also recognized as a Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Center of Excellence.With these honors, we are capable of conducting research in a number of specialties. Our 120,000 square foot facility is home to 15 labs, with research in aerodynamics, aging aircraft, crash dynamics, composites and advanced materials, aircraft icing, structural components, virtual reality, computational mechanics and many more. Research conducted in these labs will help us forge ahead and strengthen our place in the future.The Center of Excellence designations, the federal funding and the cerebral faculty and staff are just part of the reason we are internationally recognized as one of the leading aviation research facilities.