9.6.7 J. Robert Van Pelt Library

The J. Robert Van Pelt Library is the information service center of the campus with a collection of more than 780,000 volumes and subscriptions to more than 3,500 periodical titles. The library collection has a special emphasis in science and engineering and has more holdings in those fields in which Michigan Technological University offers doctorates.

The collection is housed in a four-story building with open stacks, making access easy for users and encouraging browsing. The ground floor holds the significant maps and government documents (federal and Michigan) collections. The main floor consists of the reference collection, current unbound periodical subscriptions, and periodical indexes. The second floor contains the materials in the sciences, while the third floor has the humanities and social sciences collections. In addition, the third floor has the University Archives, a collection of MTU publications and materials related to the Copper Country; this collection is rich in early mining information.

Specialized services available include: interlibrary loan, on-line data base searching, in-class instruction, government documents, and selected undergraduate CD-ROM indices. The library features an on-line public catalog. The information desk on the main floor is served by professionally trained staff most of the hours that the library is open.

Faculty members may charge out books for a thirteen week period with up to three renewals of thirteen weeks each. Periodicals circulate for three days only (basically for photocopy purposes). Book selection is the joint responsibility of the faculty and the collection management librarian. Faculty may submit requests for new items by filling out a book request form and returning it to the departmental (or school) library liaison. Forms for placing books on reserve are available from the reserve book desk or circulation desk in the library; completed forms must be returned one week before the needed date for student usage.

Hours of operation are posted at the Library.