WMU Libraries and Locations

Dwight B. Waldo Library (Main Library)

Built in 1958, expanded in 1967, and renovated and expanded in 1991, Waldo Library is named after the University’s first president. The Waldo Library houses general reference materials, science/technology materials, maps and atlases, and U.S. and Michigan government documents. Among the unique circulating collections are the Ann Kercher Memorial Collection of materials on Africa south of the Sahara; the history, religion, philosophy, and culture of the Medieval period; the Randall Frazier Memorial Collection of the history and culture of Black America; the Leslie H. Wood Memorial Collection of materials in the fields of geography and geology; and a strong business collection.

Government Documents

Located on the second floor of Waldo Library, our Government Documents Department currently receives about 60% of all publications available from the Government Printing Office (GPO). These selections are based on the needs of the University community and the citizens of Michigan's 6th Congressional District. The library is also a depository of Michigan state documents. Access to the holdings of the depository library is free to all. This includes the online and electronic material.

Special Collections & Rare Book Room

Located on the third floor of Waldo Library, Special Collections houses over 110 medieval manuscripts and some 40,000 rare books, including medieval manuscript facsimiles and American women’s poetry.

Archives & Regional History Collections

Located in East Hall on East Campus, the collection houses unique materials on southwest Michigan including manuscripts of its early residents. This library serves as the Regional Depository of the State Archives for public records, and collects, preserves, and makes accessible University records.

Education Library

Located in room #1300 of Sangren Hall, the Education Library offers over 723,530 items, including the Education Resources Information Center documents and more than 600 periodical titles and children's book collections.

Harper C. Maybee Music & Dance Library

Located in room #3006 of the Dalton Center, the Harper C. Maybee Music and Dance Library houses over 46,000 books, musical scores, and periodicals. It also features more than 22,000 sound and video recordings and provides listening and viewing facilities.

Instructional Video Collection

The Instructional Video Collection is located in Patron Services on the first floor of Waldo Library. WMU faculty, staff, and students can borrow any of the over 3,000 DVDs and videotapes in this collection. Multi-disciplinary and instructional, the Collection includes videos on art and design, communication, education, environmental sciences, foreign language materials, history, and psychology, and includes the PBS and Annenberg series.