The University Library, located in the Eli M. Oboler Library building, contains major collections of books, maps, microforms, periodicals and government publications and provides a full range of services to students and staff. The book collection of approximately 370,000 volumes is accessed via an on-line catalog which is linked to an automated circulation system. The library subscribes to some 3,400 periodicals and serials and has a periodical collection totalling over 70,000 volumes. The government publications collection comprises over 400,000 printed items. ISU has been a depository for federal publications since 1908 and for Idaho state publications since 1972. The government publications department contains a collection o f more than 1,500,000 items published in microform. The library has dramatically enhanced its electronic access systems.
An integral part of library service is the provision of reference and research assistance to patrons. General reference service is provided at the reference desk and is available during most hours that the library is open. Those patrons exploring the pe riodical and government document collections cay utilize a wide range of printed and electronically based indexes and indexes which currently total over 20 databases and systems. Library instruction is available to classes and student groups and is tailo red to address students' specific needs, from general library orientation to subject-specific bibliographic research. In addition to supplying informational materials from its own collections, the library provides an interlibrary loan facility which is equipped to locate and deliver books and periodical articles from other libraries' holdings. Utilizing Fax transmission as well as postal services, the interlibrary loan service handles over 15,000 transactions each year.
In the summer of 1994, the library also opened an Information Center at University Place in Idaho Falls. The 1,000 square foot facility includes study tables, a lounge area, and a reference desk, plus public access workstations on which students and facu lty are able to access many of the same information databases available to students within the main campus library. With the assistance of trained staff, students are able to request the delivery of books and journal articles through the university librar y.
Idaho State University Academic Information
Revised: May 5, 1995
URL http://www.isu.edu/academic-info/prev-isu-cat/ugrad95/general/library.html