University Libraries

Frederick Barnhart, M.L.I.S., J.D, dean
T. J. Lusher, Ed.D., M.A., M.L.I.S., associate dean
Jana Brubaker, M.L.S., M.A., associate dean
Leanne VandeCreek, M.S.L.S., M.S. acting associate dean

The Northern Illinois University Libraries system consists of Founders Memorial Library, and three branch libraries, which include Faraday Library, and the Music Library. The University Libraries contain over 2 million volumes as well as numerous periodicals, government publications, microforms, maps, recordings, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources.

NIU Libraries are participants in the I-Share System, a network involving 145 academic institutions throughout Illinois. Access is via the World Wide Web and allows users to immediately determine which of the 86 I-Share libraries own desired research materials. Materials not owned by NIU can be obtained quickly from other I-Share member libraries.

Founders Memorial Library, the main library, has six levels with 327,000 square feet of space and seating capacity for 1600 students. The first floor houses key library services including the circulation desk, the reference desk, the Accessibility Resource Room, library instruction, document delivery services, the reserves collection, periodicals collection, media collection, and the Scholars’ Den. Microforms, the map collection, government publications, the Writing Center, and the Test of Academic Proficiency Tutoring Center are located on the second floor; the Digital Convergence Lab, the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) tutoring center, and the Reading Assistance Center are housed on the third floor; and the Regional History Center and Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections, and the Southeast Asia collection are on the fourth floor. The upper three floors house circulating books.

Faraday Library serves faculty and students in the disciplines of chemistry and physics. Similarly, the Music Library serves the music curriculum. Regular, interim, and holiday hours are posted near the entrance to each library and on the library website. Call ahead or check online to be sure of the status.

NIU libraries provide a variety of guides to collections and services. These materials are available online at www.library.niu.edu. Instruction in the use of the library is given to classes by librarians as part of the University Libraries library instruction program. Library instruction covers both basic information literacy and, for upper-level classes, in-depth instruction related to materials in particular subject areas. Online help is available from the “Find Help” links on the libraries’ website. The course UNIV 105, Introduction to Library and Information Research, provides a broad overview of information/literacy concepts as related to the library, including locating, evaluating, and using all types of resources. See libguides.niu.edu/FacultyInfo/UNIV105.

Regional History Center and University Archives

Cindy S. Ditzler, M.A., Western Illinois University, director and archivist