Library Collections

• Print Books: 80,850 volumes
• Electronic Books: 47,700 titles
• Print Periodicals: 300
• Electronic Periodicals:18,500
• Databases: 70
• VHS/DVDs: 1,700
• Audio CDs: 430
  

Circulating and Reference Collection

Relevance to the curricula is an important selection criterion. The highest priority is given to the materials that are essential in supporting the programs offered at SUA.The library seeks to provide an international and global focus in order to support the curricula of all disciplines taught at SUA.

• Language: Primarily English; Titles in non-English languages taught at the university are selectively included.
• Date of Publication: Current titles (published within the past five years) are preferred in most areas. Seminal or classic titles are selectively included.
• Geographic Area: Pacific Rim focus, but titles from other geographic areas are collected when general in nature or pertinent to the curricula.
• Other factors considered are: Reliability and credibility; Intellectual Level; Relationship to the existing collection in terms of creating and preserving balance of viewpoints in subjects covered; Relationship to other formats containing comparable information; Cost; and Reviews when available and appropriate.

Database Subscription

As the users’ expectations grow, publishers offer increasingly sophisticated and effective online databases to libraries. They are usually up-to-date and provide easy access to high-quality information. The library is actively reviewing new databases to subscribe to.

Periodical Subscription

If journal articles are available in full text through a reliable aggregator, electronic access is preferred. If the cost of both online and print journal subscription is significantly higher than one-format subscription, the library would choose the online-only subscription option.

Media Collection (DVD, VHS, and CD)

The feature film collection includes works that contribute to the teaching of all disciplines in the university curricula. A preference is given to titles that are interdisciplinary in nature and projected to be used frequently. Also, titles that present distinctive social, political, historical or economic themes or viewpoints are collected. Popular feature films are purchased upon the recommendation of faculty or librarians with the assurance that they will be used for research or instruction.

ESL Collection

The ESL collection supports the University Bridge Program and the Summer ESL Program. It consists of ESL self-study materials, novels, and non-fiction books written with smaller vocabularies that are suited to non-native speakers. Critical thinking and awareness of social problems are important aspects of the programs. To this end, books on a wide variety of social issues are included in this collection.

Founders' collection

This Collection contains the books written by the founders of Soka Education: Tsunesaburō Makiguchi, Jōsei Toda, and Daisaku Ikeda. English titles and translated works in other languages are included. There is no restriction in regards to the publication date. This collection is actively acquired. They are accessible on the 3rd floor of the library.

Ikeda collection

When SUA Aliso Viejo campus opened, the founder Daisaku Ikeda donated about 3,800 books to the library. The subjects include art, anthology, philosophy, religion, history, literature, education and political science. Most titles are written in Japanese by scholars, educators, and intellectuals in the respective areas. Primary sources such as government documents, compilations of Japanese newspapers, and reproductions of various historical data are also included. Use the retrieval request form to access the items in this collection.

Archive collection

Materials judged appropriate for the archives are currently collected by the library. This includes such materials as commencement speeches and videos, yearbooks, student newspapers, course catalogs, works published by SUA employees, and other materials which may prove to have historical significance. These materials are for in-library use only. Use the retrieval request form to access the items in this collection.

First Floor:
Journals; Magazines; Newspapers; Instruction room, Group study room; Microfilms and reader/printer; Special collections; Copier

Second Floor:
Research help; Reference collection; Daily Newspapers; Interlibrary loan; Reserves; Check out books, CDs, DVDs, and Videos; Audiocassette/CD players; Research computers; Staff offices; 24-hour study room; Printer/copier

Third Floor:
Circulating books you can check out of the library; Group study rooms; Wireless access; Internet ports

Fourth Floor:
Ikeda collection; Reading Room 400 and 461
The rooms are available to Soka students, faculty, and staff 24 hours except during special events. To reserve the room for an event, call 4105 or 4109.

Printer location

Printer Location	Printer Names
24-Hour Study Room, Copy/Printer Room (Library 24 Hour Room)	Library 24 Hour Room HP LJ4015
2nd/Main Floor, Reference Collection area (Library Referene Area) Default printer from library terminals	LibraryReferenceHPLJ4105

Ikeda Library • 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 • 949-480-4105 • library@soka.edu
© Copyright 2009 Soka University of America • Webmaster • Copyright Compliance Agent • Last updated: July 28, 2010