About Mikkelsen Library -- Collections

Collections

Audiovisual Materials--Audiovisual materials in the library include records, CD-ROMs, audio CDs, audio and video cassettes, DVDs, slides, filmstrips, kits, computer software, models and games. These items are included in the Library Catalog and are available in the Instructional Media Service on the lower level of the library.

Books--The collections in Mikkelsen Library are in an open-stack format allowing patrons direct access to library materials. The book collection contains over 200,000 volumes arranged by the Library of Congress Classification system. Books with call numbers A-PZ are on the upper level, call numbers Q-Z are on the main level.

Center for Western Studies--The Center for Western Studies, collects and preserves historical materials relating to South Dakota and the Northern Plains. The Center also houses the College Archives. Catalog records for books, manuscripts, and papers in the Center's collections are included in the Library Catalog.

Government Documents--Mikkelsen Library is a selective depository for the U.S. Government Printing Office. The library houses over 160,000 documents, a selection of approximately 25% of the information published by the United States government. Some of these publications are shelved in the regular book collection. The majority, however, are arranged by Superintendent of Documents classification number and shelved in the balcony area of the upper level. Most documents received since 1990 are included in the Library Catalog. There is more information available about Government Documents and materials available through the Federal Depository Program on the main Government Publications section.

Journals/Periodicals--The library subscribes to more than 300 journals and periodicals in print format. Current periodicals are placed on display shelves located on the main floor. Alphabetical listing of the Mikkelsen Library's holdings are available in red notebooks in the periodical index area. The most accurate, current information about holdings for specific titles is available by searching the Library Catalog.

Access to electronic journals increases the available journals to well over 5,000. There are a variety of indexes/databases to help researchers identify specific articles within periodicals.

Juvenile Books and Curriculum Collection--Elementary and secondary textbooks are kept in the Curriculum Center on the lower level. A circulating collection of graphics and activities useful for teaching units is available in the Curriculum Center as well as a picture file. The Curriculum Center on the lower level also houses a collection of Juvenile literature including all Caldecott and Newbery award-winning books.

Myklebust Room--The library's rare book collection is housed in the Myklebust Room on the lower level. It was established with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Helmer Myklebust. The material in the Myklebust room is identified in the Library Catalog as the Special Collection.

Newspapers--The library subscribes to 7 newspapers, including the Argus Leader (Sioux Falls), Christian Science Monitor, Indian Country Today, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Current issues are kept in Ole's Oasis and past issues are filed near the microfilm area on the main floor. Many of these newspapers also have electronic versions. Indexes for the Argus Leader and Indian Country Today are available through the library catalog..

The Norwegian Collection consists of books on subjects relating to Scandinavia, many of which are in Norwegian. It was begun with a gift from Maurice P. Dunlap, Consul to Norway from 1936 to 1941. Located on the lower level, materials in the Norwegian Collection do not circulate.

Ole's Oasis--A project of the Library Associates and a special "Parent's Fund", Ole's Oasis is a collection of bestsellers and current recreational reading.

Reference Collection--The Reference Area, located on the main floor of the library, includes dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, indexes, almanacs, biographical and statistical sources, maps and atlases. The library also provides access to a number of electronic reference materials.

Reserves--Faculty members often put certain materials on reserve for use by their classes. These materials may or may not leave the library, depending on the arrangements made by individual instructors. All reserve materials are kept at the circulation desk. Materials with overnight check-outs may be checked out one hour before the library closes and must be returned one hour after the library opens the following day. Items on reserve may be identified by searching the Library Catalog.