Collections
Periodicals
Journals, magazines, and newspapers are all known as “periodicals” because they publish new issues on a periodic basis. To identify titles and holdings of periodicals owned by the Olin Library, consult the library online catalog. Periodicals are all arranged alphabetically but are located in several places:
Current Periodicals are located on the west side of the first floor in special display shelves. These are the latest issues of periodicals.
Periodicals Collection is located on the first floor north of the Reference Collection. It includes earlier issues that are either bound or in periodical boxes.
Microform Periodicals are located on the first floor across from the Circulation Desk.
Newspapers are in two locations. The most recent issues are found in special shelving in the middle of the current periodicals area on the west side of the first floor and are marked “Current Newspapers.” Earlier issues are located at the north end of the same area and are marked “Back Issues – Newspapers.” A few titles are obtained in microform and are located with the other microform periodicals.
E-Journals are periodicals obtained by the library in electronic format. They can be found in two ways. First, search the library’s online catalog, find the record for the title, and click on the embedded link that takes you to the text of the journal. Second, go to the pulldown menu on the library’s Web page called Direct Links and find the link called Journal Search. Type in the title you want and the software will find it if the library has it in any of its full text databases.
Other
Capstones: 2 years of capstones are kept at the Circulation desk. You can browse a list here.
Drury Mirror: these are kept at the Circulation desk.
Rare Books Collection
The Major T.P. Walker Rare Book Room, named in honor of Drury alumnus, benefactor, and bibliophile Thomas Penfield Walker, houses the university’s rare book and manuscript collection.
Among other items, the collection includes several incunabula pieces, a variety of works from early printing houses (such as Aldus Manutius and Elsevier), works illustrated by Rowlandson and Cruickshank, first editions and manuscripts of George Moore, signed editions, and limited editions from modern small presses. Materials in this collection may be used only within the Walker Rare Book Room.
Special Collections & Archives
Located in the lower level of Olin Library, the Special Collections and Archives area is divided into three units: Special Collections, Archives, and the Rare Book Room.
Special Collections comprises books, periodicals, and other items that require special storage and care due to their format, value, or condition. The Robert H. and Sally A. Gibbons Collection on the Kennedy Assassination and the Claude Thornhill Music Collection are also housed in Special Collections. Material in Special Collections is not available for check-out, but may be used within the library.
The Drury University Archives is a collection of material related to the history of Drury University. University papers, records, and memorabilia are kept in archives, and the collection includes over 7,500 photographs chronicling the history of Drury. The papers of Ernest Breech (Drury alumnus and industrialist) and Durward “Doc” Hall (Drury alumnus and former congressman) are also kept in the archival collection. Materials in the Drury University Archives may be used within the Special Collections area.
Education
The Education Curriculum collection has been developed to support the School of Education & Child Development undergraduate and graduate students. The collection contains textbooks, workbooks and supplemental materials for teaching literacy, math, music, handwriting, art, health, science and social studies at the elementary level. The secondary level includes, but is not limited to, materials for teaching Biology, Earth Science/ Geology, Algebra, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, U.S. History from 1492 to present, World History, Debate, and Journalism. The materials are cataloged and shelved in order by call number, which is subject related.
The curriculum materials cannot be checked out from the library. The curriculum collection is updated when newer teaching materials become available.
