University Libraries
Location: 25 West Rosedale Avenue
Phone: 610-430-4400
Library Services Website
The University Libraries empower intellectual exploration through building connections, collections, and community. The Francis Harvey Green Library (FHG Library) is located on the academic quadrangle at the corner of High Street and Rosedale Avenue. The Presser Music Library (Presser) is housed on the first floor of the Swope Music Building.
General Information
University Libraries is open seven days a week with FHG Library providing overnight study space (24Five) Sunday through Thursday. After midnight, FHG Library is monitored in partnership with our campus Security Officers and can be accessed by scanning a current WCU ID.
Notable offices and services located in FHG Library include Special Collections, the Innovation Media Center, the Writing Center, and the Frederick Douglass Institute.
Go to the University Libraries website for more information on hours and services available.
Services
Borrowing: Most library materials can be borrowed for 56 days and may be renewed if no one is waiting to use them.
Course Reserves: Articles, books, and other course materials are available in print and electronic reserve at the request of instructors. Print reserve items are located at each help desk and electronic course reserves can be accessed via D2L.
Interlibrary Loan: If a book or article is not available in our collection, we can help you get it from another library. Many articles are delivered via email within 24 hours. Books may arrive as quickly as 3-4 business days.
Distance Education Student Services: Many of the services offered to on campus students are available to distance education students, including Interlibrary Loan and access to electronic resources. Distance Students may request to have books delivered to their home address along with a prepaid return label.
Research Help
Librarians are available to assist students, faculty, and staff with their research needs. Questions may be submitted in person, via chat, phone, text, or email. Contact Research Help directly at 610-436-2453, or email ask@wcupa.libanswers.com
In addition, our Librarians work with nearly every subject available at West Chester University. Contact your subject specialist via email for a more in-depth consultation.
Resources
Our collections compare favorably with those of other major public and private libraries regionally and across the nation. Library holdings include more than 2.5 million items with the majority of these available online with a current WCU ID and password.
The Innovation Media Center (IMC) is located on the first floor of FHG Library and is home to the library's DVD and VHS collections. The IMC also has equipment for loan and provides access to many services including poster printing.
The Presser Music Library contains the University’s collection of music scores for study and performance, sound recordings, books about music and musicians, and scholarly journals.
Special Collections contains the University Libraries’ collection of rare books (including four Shakespeare Folios and the Sanderson Signers to the Declaration of Independence); various 18th and 19th century horticultural and botanical works from the libraries of William Darlington and the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Sciences; the West Chester University Archives and several other archival and manuscript collections.
Spaces
- Computer Labs and printers are located throughout the library spaces and are available during 24Five hours. Students may also configure their personal devices to send documents to library printers.
- Find Your Zone areas across open library spaces are designated either Quiet for focused study, Considerate for occasional group work, and Collaborative for interaction and sharing.
- Group Study Rooms are available to reserve for small groups to collaborate.
- Starbucks is located on the first (ground) floor. Starbucks may be entered directly from the academic quad.
Technologies
- RamCast is available in each library. This allows students, faculty, or staff to connect their laptop to a large-screen monitors for collaborative work.
- Connect to RamPrint to print to any University printer from a personal device.
- Laptops are available to borrow from the Library Help Desk and Presser Music Library.
- Adaptive devices, software, and furniture supporting individuals with disabilities are available within the libraries.