Welcome Back, Students!

First year students—welcome! Returning students—welcome back!

The staff at Van Wylen Library are excited for the new school year and want to make sure you are in the know regarding everything the library has to offer. During the course of your studies at Hope, you will be in need of quality information from an array of reliable sources and the library has you covered! The library is much more than a repository of books—think of it as an epicenter of information resources and services all aimed at supporting your academic endeavors. We recognize that the sheer abundance and variety of information can be overwhelming, but the library is very much in the business of teaching and learning, so know that you are not on your own to sort it all out. The library aims to foster information literacy, and librarians provide instruction in a wide variety of courses in effort to equip students with the critical thinking skills needed to deftly explore and navigate the broader realm of information we find ourselves encountering daily.

Here are some of the library highlights:

• Research  Help
  Stop by the Research Help Desk on the main floor of the library with any questions regarding the library or using/accessing its many resources. You can also get help via email, phone, text or chat. For the most in-depth help experience, you can schedule a one-on-one consultation with an expert research or digital liberal arts librarian.

• Borrowing Materials
  The Circulation Desk is where you can check out library materials of all types—books, videos, technology such as laptops and cameras, and more!  All you need is your Hope ID! See here for more info on loan periods, etc.

• Digital Media Lab
  On the second floor of the library you’ll find the Digital Media Lab and service desk. Here you can get help with audio/video editing, image manipulation, graphic design, research poster layout, etc. It is here where you can also do color printing, purchase general office supplies. Adjacent to the Digital Media Lab is a Sound Room which includes an individual studio space with materials so students can engage in multimedia podcast recording/editing, in addition to Sibelius and Finale software for music creation.

• Klooster Center for Excellence in Writing
  The Writing Center located on the main floor or the library. Here you can schedule an appointment with an experienced student writing assistant to receive guidance on your writing assignments in all subject areas. Help is available at any stage of the writing process, from initial planning to proofreading final drafts.

• Archives
  Located on 10th Street near Central Ave is the Joint Archives of Holland. This branch of the library is your gateway to Hope College and local history collections, many of which have been digitized and made available online. The Archives staff are available to help you make the most of these unique primary source materials, many of which have been integrated into student undergraduate research over the years. 

The library is also a great place to study and work! We have an assortment of tables, personal study carrels, private rooms, and other cozy spaces to choose from. So, come, make yourself at home in the library where you can get stuff, get stuff done, and get help doing it!

• Take a video tour of Van Wylen Library →

Todd Wiebe, Associate Librarian & Head of Research and Instruction