Below is a selection of data and user feedback demonstrating the use and impact of University Library collections and services. Data reported is for FY25 unless otherwise noted. Please contact Melea Reicks Licht, library communications manager, with assessment inquiries at mreicks@iastate.edu. Download an overview of the University Library (pdf). 

Using the library's numerous resources has helped me find essential information for my investigations and streamline my research projects.

“ Your deep expertise and thoughtful guidance helped us explore complex AI-related ideas in ways I hadn’t expected. It felt like today’s session is a perfect blend of curiosity, knowledge, and shared effort!”

“Just wanted to let you know that today is my last day as a PhD student. Your help has made a meaningful impact during my time at MSE. I especially recall our discussion on what to do about Journal of Catalysis and its steep APC.”

“Lib 160[0] is an excellent class and a great model for what some other online classes should be. It has greatly helped me to improve my research and understanding of library resources.”

Parks Library

  • 6,000-10,000

    daily visitors

  • 225

    computer workstations

  • 2,600

    seats

Value to Iowa State University

  • For every $1 invested in the University Library, it provides $5 of value to Iowa State University 

Distinctive Collections

  • 2,259,287 physical items held
  • 1,770,830 eBooks
  • 226,973 eJournals
  • 106,618 streaming videos
  • 20,766 digital newspapers
  • 50,000+ rare books
  • 2.5+ million downloads of e-resources annually (articles, data)
  • 33,000+ checkouts of physical materials annually 

Special Collections and University Archives

  • 16 presentations
  • 639 group instruction participants
  • 426 reference transactions

  • Course Visits

    “Every single one of the students who were present cited that visit as especially helpful and FUN! Thank you again for sharing your experience and enthusiasm for research, writing, and lifelong learning. You really made an impact with this bunch!”

Research and Instruction Support

  • 7,300+ students completed the core information literacy course Library 1600
  • ~2,000 instructional session and workshop attendees
  • 2,200+ consultations (chat, email, in-person)
  • 107 instructional sessions (course visits)
  • 300+ course, subject, and general purpose online library guides
  • 397,000+ total library guide views
  • The Digital Repository provides worldwide access to 119,000+ items of Iowa State scholarship
    • 36,000 student theses, dissertations, and creative components in the repository
    • ~1.5 million items downloaded/viewed annually, 48 million all-time downloads/views
    • 2,170 faculty works deposited in FY25
  • DataShare, ISU's open data repository, consists of 600+ datasets from ~500 authors with a total of ~1.5 million downloads (all-time)
  • ISU Digital Press provides electronic publishing services to scholars and organizations - 25 books and 630 journal articles were published in FY25 across 13 journals
  • 393 new articles published across 230 journals via Open Access agreements in FY25

Access and Affordability

  • The use of Open Educational Resources (OER) saved Iowa State students $3+ million since 2018
    • In FY25: 5,500+ students were supported in 43 classes saving $524,000+
  • Course reserves supported 7,137 students and 340 courses in FY25
  • Tech Lending offers 1,200+ items (laptops, iPads, accessories), 5,000+ individuals were served in FY25 with 16,000+ bookings
  • Public computing in Parks Library: 225 public computing stations, 12 printer stations (1+ million pages annually), Studio 2B for one-button recording and streaming, high processing computer stations, and a specialized Game Learning Lab
  • Nearly $38,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 37 student employees and $25,000 provided in assistantships to 16 students since 2021
  • The library employs 100+ students
  • The Preservation Lab digitized 87,521 items and treated 24,579 items between FY15 and FY24 

“The library’s support has enabled me to write an open graduate-level engineering textbook. As an Open Educational Resource, this book will be accessible to a global audience of students and instructors, regardless of means or location, and will help in a small way to reduce financial barriers for advanced study.” 

"My overall experience with Course Reserves has been excellent. I find the interface fairly easy to use, and when I run into issues, the CR folks are quick to assist. The staff have been friendly and easy to work with."

Community

  • 33 study rooms available in Parks Library
  • 20,000+ group study room bookings, 13,000+ individual study room bookings, and 141 family-friendly room bookings in Parks Library
  • Cyclone Support Central, a wellness resource center in Parks Library, had 1,700+ unique points of impact and 937 student check-ins by 393 distinct students in Fall 2025

  • Cyclone Support Central

    “I felt that Cyclone Support Central is a very welcoming space where I can go if I need a break. The Navigators are very kind and understanding, and it made me feel that I can go back if I need support.” -- "I liked that the space is easy to navigate and thoughtfully arranged. The facilities are modern, clean, and provide a good environment for students to study, regroup, or connect with staff."