Illinois Wesleyan 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: 321,241
Number of current serial subscriptions: 9,812
Number of microforms: 24,273
Number of audiovisuals: 16,505
Number of ebooks: 0
Other library facilities: The five-floor Ames Library, serving as the intellectual center of the community, houses nearly 400,000 volumes. With 19 group study and project rooms, over 100 computers, auditorium seating for 70, and 150 lounge seats, the library provides a place for interaction, collaboration, consultation, study and reflection. Motivated by the desire of library faculty and staff to understand, anticipate, and fulfill the research and information needs of the community, services continually evolve to meet those needs. Central services include: one-on-one consultations between librarian and researcher, cutting-edge technology including wireless network as well as extensive remote access to library resources and services, strong collection development for both traditional print and electronic collections, instruction and information literacy initiatives, digitization of text, visual, and audio materials, and a liaison program for academic departments and programs facilitating communication and effective service delivery. The library is a member of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, which provides services to more than 180 member institutions. Through the shared online catalog, the IWU community has access to the 22 million volumes held by libraries via a direct request service. Extensive e-journal collections, including JSTOR and Project Muse provide immediate access to over 9,000 journal titles. A highly effective and efficient interlibrary loan service augments the local collection via easy requesting and fast delivery. Special collections in The Ames Library include, among others, first edition detective fiction; materials on The Beggar’s Opera, John Gay, and works related to the 18th and 19th century British stage; works of the Beat Writers; and the Minor Myers Honors Collection, featuring prize- or award-winning books in a wide variety of fields. A large Native American pottery collection, some of which was acquired by former IWU faculty member John Wesley Powell during his explorations of the Southwest, is on display in The Ames Library Rotunda.

Museums or other Special Academic Buildings on Campus: The University Observatory is used both for classes and for special programs on astronomy that are open to the public.