What resources are in the library? What can be borrowed?

Many of these resources are listed in our online catalog, Sherlock. In Sherlock you will find the physical location of the resource and a link to the digital version if available.  

Research

Books- We have around 500,000 books in our collection, primarily focused on academic texts to support the research needs of faculty and students. For more information on how to find a book, check out our libguide.

    Summit & ILL- If we don’t have a book you’re looking for, there’s a chance another library in our consortium of schools in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have it, in which case, you can request it and have it delivered here in 5-7 business days. If that isn’t an option, you can submit an Interlibrary Loan request, though those requests can take up to 6 weeks.

    Reference- Next to the windows on the second floor, there is an area of short bookstacks full of reference books. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference books can be valuable sources for verified data and information. These books may only be used in the library.

Course reserves- Professors often put textbooks and other resources needed for a class on hold for the semester at the library. Books on reserve can have varying check out lengths or be in library use only for a few hours. They can be accessed at the circulation desk.  You can consult a list of reserves.

Databases- Databases provide Penrose with access to over 4,000 journals online, as well as datasets, structures, citations, and primary sources.

Journals and newspapers- While many of our databases provide digital access to academic journals, popular magazines, and newspapers, we also have legacy collections of many historical titles, which can be found in the catalog and are located in the movable shelving on the first floor.

Archives and special collections- The Whitman College and Northwest Archives holds rare books, historical manuscripts related to the Walla Walla region, and records related to the college. They are located on the first floor of Penrose and are open 10-12, 1-4 Monday through Friday.

Eells Northwest Collection- Located outside the Whitman College and Northwest Archives, the Eels Collection focuses on Northwest history, particularly Walla Walla and the Inland Empire.

Government Documents- Government documents can be reports, congressional records, regulations, and government funded research from both a local, national, and international level. Located on the first floor in the moveable shelving, there are reference books that can help guide your use of these collections.

Maps- USGS topographic maps as well as historical maps primarily of the Pacific Northwest. Can be found throughout the library, but are in the catalog.

Films- Penrose has a mix of educational films, foreign films, and popular movies located on the second floor. You can check out a key to a media viewing room with a DVD or VHS player for 3 hours from the circulation desk.

Theses- We collect physical copies of honors theses. They are indexed in the catalog and are located in the Allen Reading Room. Since 2010 we have collected digital copies of honors theses which can be found on Arminda.

Other

Juvenile Literature- Whitman used to have an education program, and we have retained our juvenile fiction collection. These books can be checked out and are on the first floor near the restrooms.

Popular Fiction- We maintain a collection of current best sellers and recently released fiction on shelves opposite the bathrooms on the second floor.

Happy (SAD) lamps- There are 6 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) lights spread amongst the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors.  These lamps mimic sun exposure and may help combat the “winter blues”.  Proper use instructions are posted with the lights.