Knight Library

Scope and content

The library, which contains the largest research collection in the state, has more than 2.5 million volumes and subscribes to nearly 17,000 journals. Furthermore, the library has a large collection of titles in languages other than English. In addition to books and journal (print and electronic format) the library has extensive collections of microforms; slides; maps; manuscripts; compact discs; phonograph records; films and videotapes; and state, federal, and international documents.

General collections

Most books and periodicals in Knight Library are housed in publicly accessible open stacks. These materials are arranged by Library of Congress call number on the library's second, third, and fourth floors. Most items in the general stacks circulate under regular loan periods. Bound journals are shelved in the general collections and have shortened loan periods (see Borrowing policy).

Special sections and formats

The Knight Library has some materials located in separate sections because of purpose or format. These sections, and materials of particular interest, are described below.

Main Floor

Video Collections

The UO Library has about 8,000 items in video format (videotapes and and videodiscs) which cover all disciplines. Most of these materials are located in the Reserve & Video Room of the Knight Library. The 16mm film collection is housed in Media Services.

Reference Collection

The Reference Collection is the major non-circulating humanities and social sciences reference collection on the University of Oregon campus. It comprises approximately 30,000 volumes in literature and languages, education, history, anthropology, ethnic studies, dance, psychology, and the general social sciences and humanities.

Government Documents

The government publications collection contains publications from the governments of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, the State of Oregon, and cities and counties in Oregon. Also included are official records of international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Government documents are important sources of statistical data, legal and regulatory information, and information about government programs, public policy issues, and international relations. They are important source material for students and scholars in a variety of disciplines, including business administration, economics, journalism, political science, history, geology, and planning, public policy and management. In addition to the government publications themselves, the collection houses selected commercially produced indexes and publications that support research into public affairs and governmental activities.

PPPM Terminal Projects

This collection consists of terminal projects written by graduate students in the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management(PPPM) or predecessor programs since the 1960's. These projects, which are non-circulating, are shelved by project number in the Knight Library's Government & Business Information Service

Maps & Aerial Photography

The Map & Aerial Photography (MAP) Collection contains maps, atlases and aerial photographs. Currently, the MAP Collection includes over 250,000 maps, 2,700 atlases, and more than 500,000 aerial photographs, making it one of the ten largest collections of this type of material in the United States. Strengths of the map collection include maps from every nation in the world, with special emphasis on North America, Central America, Europe, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The map collection focuses on large-scale topographic maps, plus maps portraying geology, vegetation, city plans, forestry, and historical subjects.

Microforms

The microforms collection houses the library's vast collection of information in microformats: microfilm, microfiche, and microprint. It includes the most complete collection of Oregon newspapers available anywhere, as well as many other items of historical significance. The Microforms service desk is located on the main floor, south end of the Knight Library.

Second Floor: A-HB

Current Periodicals & Newspapers

Current Periodicals contains unbound issues of both popular magazines and academic periodicals and journals. Current newspapers from Oregon and major cities in the United States and abroad are also available in this area, located on the second floor.

East Asian Collection

This collection of more than 81,000 books and 400 current periodicals, written in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, covers many aspects of culture and life in East Asia. The major emphasis is on language and literature from ancient to modern times, history, government, and art. Material is listed in the library catalog, with titles in roman alphabet and vernacular scripts. Adjacent to this collection, located on the second floor, is a specially-equipped Janus terminal that displays library catalog records in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.

ITC Collection

The ITC houses a collection of CD-ROMs, disks, books, hardware, software, and manuals for use by patrons while in the ITC. These resources contain a variety of content-some subject or class specific, some on computing topics.

Second Floor: North

Special Collections (map)

Housed separately from the general collection in the Knight Library, Special Collections includes the following departments:

 

Oregon Collection: The Oregon Collection brings together a wealth of material about Oregon and its peoples. In addition to highlighting regional and local histories, the Oregon Collection also contains the works of Oregon authors.

Rare Book Collection: The Rare Book Collection contains medieval manuscripts, early printed books, fine press books, and important works through the twentieth century.

Manuscripts Collection: Along with the personal papers of prominent Oregonians such as the late Senator Wayne Morse, this collection includes the archives of individuals, organizations, and businesses active both within and beyond the state's borders. Major areas of significant collection strength include the conservative and libertarian movement, 20th century U.S. authors and illustrators for children, Christian missionaries in China, Esperanto, Oriental art and literature, Zeppelins, and western writers. Special finding aids to the collection can help you locate items.

Photograph Collection: The Library has a significant collection of historic photographs and negatives depicting views and subjects ranging from Appalachia to the Arctic, but with the emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.

University Archives: Archives is the repository for and curator of the University's official records as well as collections (photographs, diaries, publications, faculty papers, et cetera) documenting the history of the University.

Third Floor: HC-PN

Curriculum Collection

Located on the third floor, the Curriculum Collection is a research collection which houses textbooks used in elementary and secondary classrooms.

McKnight Juvenile Collection

Maintained for research on children's literature, the McKnight Juvenile Collection contains books written for the preschool to young adult reader. This collection is located on the Library's third floor.

Music Services

Located on the third floor, Music Services contains music reference materials, scores, books, current and bound periodicals, and composer's collected editions. The Douglas Listening Room houses most of the recordings (LPs, compact discs, cassettes, and reel-to-reels) held by the Knight Library.

Fourth Floor: PQ-Z

Dewey Decimal Call Numbers

Some items also in the general collection have call numbers in the Dewey Decimal classification system. Dewey Decimal call numbers begin with a number instead of a letter. They are located in the north corners of 4th floor.

Decorative step lights

The Luminated Manuscripts consist of 15 glass panels installed on the guardrails of the three flights of the Solari Staircase. Initially installed in November, 1992, the glass sculptures were adjusted with filters in August 1993 to enhance their appearance.

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