Collections and Facilities

Welcome to the University of Houston-Downtown Library. This guide provides an introduction to the library's print and online collections, and to library facilities in the One Building Building. For additional information, or to suggest changes in library collections and facilities, please Ask a Librarian.

 

 

Book Collections

The library has substantial collections of print and electronic books in all subjects taught at the university. Most book collections are located on the 5th Floor South. The General Collection is the main collection of contemporary and classic books. Collection strengths include business, criminal justice, and education. Large books are shelved in the Oversize Collection at the back of the 5th Floor South (rows 182-183). Both collections are arranged by subject using Library of Congress Call Numbers. Look for the location and call number of each book by searching the Library Catalog. The catalog can also be used to request books from libraries at UH-Central and UH-Clear Lake campuses. Use the request feature in the catalog to have books from those campuses delivered to UHD.

The Leisure Reading Collection located near the entrance to 5th Floor South has a selection of popular fiction and nonfiction paperbacks. The books are arranged by author and title for easy access. Stop by and pick up a "fun read" to take a break or to read at home in your spare time.

In-house collections are supplemented by over 83,000 electronic books. To search e-book collections, start with the Library Catalog or Electronic Book Databases.

 

 

Journal and Magazine Collections

The library offers more than 53,000 journals and magazines in our electronic and print collections. Start with Find Articles (Databases) to find research databases that can be used to search these collections by keyword, subject, author, etc. Once you find an interesting article, look for the Find This Article link in your search results to find the location of the article. This feature will connect you to the electronic journal or magazine, give you the library location of the print edition, or offer information about other ways to get the article. If you already know the name of the journal or magazine you need, you can start with Find Journals by Title. This service will also tell you the location of a particular journal or magazine.

Print journals and magazines can be found in the Periodicals Collection in 5th Floor North. These materials are arranged in alphabetical order. For the recent issues of some magazine, see the Periodical Browsing Area at the back of 5th Floor North.

UHD students, faculty, and staff can use Interlibrary Loan to get publications not available at UHD.

 

 

News Sources

The library provides access to thousands of current and historical news sources. Start with our News Databases guide to search full-text articles from newspapers, magazines, news wires, and radio or television news, including major news sources from Texas, the United States, and almost every corner of the world. To find the location of a particular newspaper or news magazine, start with Find Journals by Title.

Our in-house collection of newspapers includes Barrons, the Houston Chronicle, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and La Voz de Houston. Current issues can be found at the Circulation Desk or at the newspaper stand in 5th Floor North. We also offer microfilm archives of the Houston Post (1976-1995), the Houston Chronicle (1901 to present), the New York Times (1852 to present), the Wall Street Journal (1970 to present), and the Washington Post (1877-1991). Microfilm cabinets and viewers are located in 5th Floor North. Other historical newspapers are available online through our News Databases guide.

 

 

Juvenile Collections and Textbooks

The Juvenile Literature Collection at the back of 5th Floor North supports teaching in English and Urban Education by providing fiction and nonfiction books for children in preschool through grade twelve. The collection is focused on award-winning and multicultural books. It includes both English- and Spanish-language publications.

The Texas Education Collection has a selection of textbooks chosen by the Texas Education Agency and adopted by Houston Independent School District in kindergarten through grade twelve. These materials include teaching kits, teacher's guides, and curriculum guides, plus "big book" editions of English- and Spanish-language picture books. Textbooks and guides are arranged by subject area, grade level, and publisher. The collection is located in Room 506A at the back of 5th Floor South.

In addition to print collections, we also offer research databases aimed at children, allowing education students to preview resources available in many Texas schools.

To search the collections, see the Library Catalog or see our Children's Literature guide.

 

 

Audiovisual Collections and Equipment

Audiovisual materials are shelved near the Circulation Desk in 5th Floor North. DVDs and compact discs are kept in display stands near the Circulation Desk. VHS videotapes and audiobooks are kept on separate shelving nearby. Viewing and listening stations for compact discs, DVDs, VHS videotapes, and audio cassettes are available at the far end of the Audiovisual Collection shelving area. Headphones for the audiovisual stations are available at the Circulation Desk.

In addition to these traditional media formats, the library also offers collections of digital media sources with images and streaming audio or video. To search audiovisual collections, see the Library Catalog or try one of these guides:

• Audio and Video
• Music Databases - Audio and Video

 

 

Theses

The Thesis Collection has a copy of every thesis submitted to graduate programs at UHD. These materials are temporarily located with the Audio-Visual Collections in the 5th Floor North during the library renovation project. For a complete list of theses, please see the Library Catalog.

 

 

Computers and Wireless Networking

The Library Computer Lab located in 4th Floor North has computers with Internet access, research databases, office software, and equipment for the visually impaired. Most computers are reserved for UHD students, faculty, and staff. A small number of computers are available to visitors who show a government-issued photo ID. Headphones are available to UHD students, faculty, and staff at the Information Desk. Please keep the volume low out of consideration for others.

UHD students, faculty, and staff with laptops may connect to the wireless network in any part of the library. Some group study rooms on 4th Floor North are equipped with display screens that can be connected to laptop computers for group work. Access keys and cables are available at the Computer Lab Information Desk.

For more information about computing services, see Computers and Wireless.

 

 

Reading and Study Rooms

The library offers several options for individual or group study. Open study areas on 4th Floor North are available whenever the One Main Building is open. Other study areas on 4th Floor North and on the 5th Floor are open during library hours.

4th FLOOR NORTH

• The Reading Room (capacity: 50) is open whenever the One Main Building is open. It offers several types of chairs and desks for individuals who wish to read or study.
  
  
• Group Study Rooms (capacity: up to 10) are available on a walk-in basis. Rooms with computer screens are locked. Check out an access key at the 4th Floor Information Desk.
  
  
• Presentation Practice Rooms (capacity: up to 8) are available on a walk-in basis. Rooms have computer screens, document projectors, and audiovisual equipment. Check out an access key at the 4th Floor Information Desk.
  
  

5th FLOOR NORTH

• The Quiet Study Area is equipped with individual study desks and lounge chairs for reading. Cell phone use and talking is prohibited.
  
  

5th FLOOR SOUTH

• Individual study desks are available throughout the General Collection.
  
  
• Open study tables are available at the front of the South Tower.