Collections

Archives
The Wheelock College Library Archives houses materials documenting the history of Wheelock College, as well as a variety of rare books and the papers of Lucy Wheelock, a pioneer in the U.S. kindergarten movement and founder of the College. The Archives is open to interested researchers by appointment. Please call the Reference staff at 617-879-2222 to arrange for an appointment. The archival materials do not circulate, but may be used in a supervised reference area.

Book Exchange and Games
Located on the lower level, the Book Exchange is a free, patron-supported collection for recreational reading. Take a book, leave a book, read for fun! The Library also has a variety of classic and current board games for all to enjoy. Games cannot be checked out.

Children’s Literature
An extensive collection of contemporary children’s literature is housed on floor 2M. Works include picture books, fiction, and non-fiction for children from birth to grade 8. In addition, the Library holds the E.A. Liddle and Ingraham collections of historical children’s literature, which are for Library use only.

Computer Software
A selection of educational software is available for circulation. The software is shelved on floor 2 and circulates for the regular 21-day loan period.

Curriculum Materials
This collection, located on floor 2 and 2M, consists of both print and non-print materials for use with children as well as for study and research. The collection includes textbooks, kits, manipulatives, games, posters, children’s magazines, CDs, software, audiocassettes, and juvenile videocassettes. All of these items may be borrowed from the Library.

ERIC
The Library holds a complete collection of the ERIC documents on microfiche. Documents from the past 25 years are located in files on floor 3. Earlier documents are readily available upon request.

Journals
The Library subscribes to over 500 journals, newspapers, and magazines in print format. These materials are found on floor 3 and are shelved alphabetically by title. Journal indexes/databases, including full-text access to thousands of titles, can be found on the Library’s website.

Main Collection
The Library’s main collection currently holds approximately 83,000 volumes that support all areas of the College curriculum.

Museum Passes
Through the College's membership, the Library offers passes to the Boston Children's Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo/Stone Zoo, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and to the John F. Kennedy Museum and Library. Membership passes are held at the Circulation Desk. You may borrow one pass at a time for 24 hours; passes may not be reserved in advance.

Recommended Websites
Lists of Recommended Websites, compiled by staff, are available on the Library's website.

Reference Collection
The reference collection on floor 1M is composed of print and non-print sources for patrons’ research and other information needs. It includes standard as well as specialized reference works with particular emphasis on children, families, human development, education, and cultural diversity. Online sources include the Library catalog, database indexes to journals and magazines, and virtual reference books available on the Library’s website.

Tests & Assessments
Located on floor 1 at the Information Desk, the Tests and Assessments Collection contains 400 educational and psychological tests,. These materials may only be used by Wheelock faculty and those students with express permission of an instructor. Individuals must either be listed on a current class roster as submitted by the instructor or present a letter signed by the instructor authorizing permission to borrow a specific test. Materials may not be photocopied, and the borrower is financially responsible for missing parts. Students may borrow one test at a time. The loan period is three days for undergraduates and one week for graduate students and faculty.