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Collection Types

This page describes our physical collections, available across several library locations (see call number locations). See the Online Library Resources page for a description databases, articles, ebooks, streaming media, and other online resources available 24/7.

General Collection Items

Books, music scores (general use), and other materials that you can borrow for our standard loan period.

Course Reserves

Materials with shortened check-out periods that can be placed on reserve for courses.

Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers

Use our Journals search tool to search for our physical or online journals, magazines, and newspapers by their title or ISSN. To browse our online news sources, visit our News Databases page or our Virtual Newsrack. Physical journals and magazines are housed in storage (available via library delivery services) or in Rose Library.

Reference Books

A reference book is a publication, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, or atlas, that is used for looking up specific facts. Reference books are provided in Rose Library and the Music Library.

Acquired by the Libraries through a subscription service and offered with shortened loan periods. We incrementally add the most borrowed titles to our general collection.

Juvenile Collection

Children’s and young adult books are available in the ETMC in Memorial Hall.

Music Scores

Music scores (general use and collected edition) of various composers are among the collections housed at the Music Library.

Audio & Video

DVDs are available in Rose Library or storage. CDs are available in the Music Library. LPs are housed in storage. Items in storage are available via library delivery services.

Microforms

We have a variety of journals, magazines, and newspapers in microform formats. These materials are searchable in the Journals search tool. Microforms are located in storage. Items in storage are available via library delivery services. We provide microform readers for viewing, scanning, and printing microforms at JMU Libraries Express.

Special Collections

Archives, manuscripts, rare books, and other unique materials are available for use in the Special Collections reading room. Schedule a research appointment using the Special Collections Request System.

Music Special Collections

Music manuscripts, unique recordings, and other rare material are available in Music Library Rare Items and Music Special Collections, both in the Music Building. See Music Library Collections for more information.