Supervisor: Maria Lukawski, 002 Parks Library, (515) 294-1782, lukawski@iastate.edu
Media Service Desk: (515) 294-9373

Hours: Hours of operation for the Media Center vary slightly from general building hours and are posted on the door and under Library Hours.

Description: The Media Center is located on the lower level of the Parks Library (Room 002). At a single service desk, patrons can obtain items from four distinct collections: Maps, Media, Microforms, and "hard copy" Reserves. Each collection is described briefly below, along with its basic circulation policies. For more detailed information regarding circulation policies (loan periods, overdue fines, lost item charges, etc.) for these collections, see the ISU Library Lending Policy. Organizationally, the Media Center is part of the ISU Library's Research & Access Services Division.

Map Collection

The Map Collection contains all types of maps, atlases, charts and globes. Included are United States Geological Survey topographic maps, US road maps, US and foreign city maps, national and state atlases, maps of national parks and forests, and general and thematic maps of most sections of the world. Iowa materials include county highway maps, county plat books, and aerial photographs.

Circulation of maps: Most sheet maps and atlases may be checked out of the building for four weeks. Aerial photographs, globes, raised relief maps, and selected sheet maps and atlases do not circulate outside of the Map Room.

Media Collection

The Media Collection covers a wide range of subjects in a variety of formats: educational and feature films in NTSC and PAL format; audio books; and a wide array of classical and contemporary music. Supported equipment includes 1/2" VHS video, DVD, audiocassette, audio compact disc, slides, and IBM multimedia applications. All equipment is for in-house use only. Audio-visual materials not on course reserve can be located through the Library Catalog.

Circulation of media/AV materials: DVD, slides, video, and all audio-visual material circulate for 3 hours and must be used in the Media Center. CD-ROM, computer software, compact discs, and audiotapes not on reserve, can be used in-house, or if the patron prefers, checked-out for 4 weeks. Some DVD/Video items have been designated as "PARKS Media Center: Leisure Media" in the Library Catalog. These items circulate for 3 days only and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because of the short-term nature of the loan, holds, recalls and renewals are not allowed. Borrowers can have no more than three titles checked out at any given time.

Microforms Collection

The Microforms Collection includes newspapers, magazines, government documents, and technical reports in a variety of formats such as microfilm, microfiche, and micro-opaque cards.  Equipment for viewing and scanning (digitizing) material is available. Photocopies can be made for a fee on self-serve printers or by the staff.

Circulation of microforms: Government documents on microfiche (including technical reports), ERIC documents, and portable microfiche readers may be checked out of the Library. The loan period for these items is four weeks.

Reserve Collection

The vast majority of course reserve material is available online, via the e-Library. However, a small collection of "hard copy" course reserve materials, consisting of books, DVDs, and other physical formats, is housed in the Media Center, and circulates from this location. Course reserve materials are listed via Reserve and Courses A-Z under "Classes and Tours" on the e-Library homepage. Instructor submission forms, policies for paper, electronic and audio-visual reserve items, copyright and other information are also available via these sites.

Circulation of course reserve materials: Books and paper material on reserve circulate on a "first-come, first-served" basis for 2 hours in the Library only. DVDs, slides, videotapes, and all audio-visual material on reserve circulate for 3 hours and must likewise be used in the Library. Instructors requiring these items for face-to-face teaching may borrow audio-visual material for 3 days by scheduling ("booking") them through the Library Catalog. All material must be returned to the Media Center.