These are the collections of books that are housed in the physical library. Go to the books page to access the full catalog and the library's ebook collections.
Reference Books - This collection consists of encyclopedias, dictionaries, commentaries, atlases, and the like. These are books that summerize events or point the researcher to more specific topics.
Location: Reference Room
Check out length: 3 days
Main Collection - This collection makes up the bulk of the titles at Mears Library. These are academic books organized according to the Library of Congress Classification System
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Book Nook - A specialized collection consisting of new and popular novels.
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Play Scripts - A collection made up of play scripts. These scripts have been pulled from the main collection and set together to make it easier to find them. Any script that also includes commentary or multiple scripts bound together are located in the main collection.
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Juvenile Fiction - Fiction books written for middle and high school readers. These books are organized alphabetically by author.
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Juvenile Nonfiction - Nonfiction books written for elementary, middle, and high school readers. These books are organized according to the Library of Congress Classification System
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Juvenile Easy - Picture books written fro elementary readers. These books are organized alphabetically by author.
Location: Lower Level
Check out length: 4 weeks
Faculty Books - These are books published by current University faculty. Books published by previous faculty are either in the main collection or in the archive. Ask a librarian to request anything from the archives.
Location: Lobby
Check out length: 4 weeks
Cougar Corner - These are new and popular DVDs ordered for entertainment and occasionally for scholarship. They are organized according to the Library of Congress Classification System.
Location: Lobby
Check out Length: 3 days
Reference DVDs - These are documentaries and instructional DVDs organized by the Library of Congress Classification System.
Location: Reference Room
Check out Length: 3 days
These items are available upon request at the front desk. Some may have waivers that need to be signed before check out. All are check out for 2 hours, but depending on need, check out times are negotiable. A full list is available in the library catalog.
Laptops
Projectors
Projector Screens
Digital Cameras
Video Recorders
Calculators
Tape Players
Xbox One S
Academic Journals and Magazines - Mears Library offers thousands of academic journal and magazine titles. A complete list can be found here. Issues housed in the library are displayed in the reference room. All current issues are displayed on the slanted shelves with issues from the current year under these slants. Past years are housed on the upright shelves east of the slants.
Location: Reference Room
Check out length: 3 days
Newspapers - Mears Library subscribes to four local newspapers: Argus Leader and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Digital Newspapers are also available.
Location: Lobby
Check out length: In library only
Board Games - Board and card games added to the collection for recreation. This collection is a recent addition.
Location: Reference Room
Check out length: 1 week
Video Games - Xbox One S games recently added to the collection for recreation due to the generous donation of the Student Senate. If you would like to see this collection expanded, please check out the games and tell a librarian how much you love this addition.
Location: Lobby in Cougar Corner
Check out length: 1 week