The Periodical Reading Room (PRR) and the Microforms Library are located on the second floor of the West wing in the Main Library. PRR houses a variety of scholarly journals as well as popular magazines, heavily used periodicals and many newspapers. In all, current issues of over 4,000 titles can be found in PRR. It is important to remember, however, that PRR does not receive the current issues for all periodicals held by the library. Therefore, when checking the library online catalog, it is important to notice if a "Current Issues in PRR" notation appears.

Most of the items housed in PRR are arranged alphabetically by title on open shelves in the reading area. Some heavily used items are stored behind the PRR/Microforms Service Desk. These items can be checked out for library use upon presentation of a borrower's card. There is a label at the appropriate spot on the open shelves indicating that a particular title is held behind the PRR/Microforms Service Desk.

In addition to magazines and journals, PRR also receives approximately 100 U.S. and foreign newspapers. The newspapers are kept in a reading area near the PRR/Microforms Service Desk. Again, heavily used items are kept behind the service desk and can be viewed upon presentation of proper library identification. The newspapers are ordered to support the curriculum in various academic areas of the university and provide minimal regional coverage. The newspapers are only held for a short time. Where microfilm subscriptions exist, paper issues are discarded as the corresponding microfilm reels are received. For newspapers without microfilm subscriptions, Back issues are typically kept on the shelf for two weeks for U.S. papers and four weeks for foreign papers. These schedules do, however, vary from paper to paper, and it is prudent to check at the PRR/Microforms Service Desk before concluding that an issue has been discarded.

In addition to magazines and journals, PRR also receives approximately 100 U.S. and foreign newspapers. The newspapers are kept in a reading area near the PRR/Microforms Service Desk. Again, heavily used items are kept behind the service desk and can be viewed upon presentation of proper library identification. The newspapers are ordered to support the curriculum in various academic areas of the university and provide minimal regional coverage. The newspapers are only held for a short time. Where microfilm subscriptions exist, paper issues are discarded as the corresponding microfilm reels are received. For newspapers without microfilm subscriptions, Back issues are typically kept on the shelf for two weeks for U.S. papers and four weeks for foreign papers. These schedules do, however, vary from paper to paper, and it is prudent to check at the PRR/Microforms Service Desk before concluding that an issue has been discarded.

All materials located in PRR/Microforms are restricted to in-building use. Requests to allow items to leave the building should be directed to the PRR/Microforms Service Desk Supervisor, who shall grant permission only in cases where in-building use presents a severe hardship. When photocopies of PRR/Microforms items are desired, they can be copied on one of the nearby photocopiers.

Whenever you have questions or concerns about current periodicals or the microform collection, please feel free to stop at the PRR/Microforms Service Desk or call PRR/Microforms (432-6123 x222) and ask for assistance. The department can also be reached via e-mail : thornton@msu.edu