Library » Collections

Collections

There are seven major collections in the IPS Thelen  Library:
If you would like to make a suggestion or request for additions to any of these collections, please submit them to the Library staff or make your request on the OPAC by signing with your user ID number and PIN.


Circulating Collection
The Mary S. Thelen Library Circulating Collection is a diverse assemblage of more than 10,000 books, manuals, handbooks, A/V, and other materials on or related to clinical psychology, Christian psychology, theology, and philosophy.  The collection is available for regular borrowing privileges outside of the Library by students appropriately registered.

Reference Collection
The Reference Collection is non-circulating and is available for use within the Library only. This collection consists of general and specialized print and electronic encyclopedias (including the Encyclopedia of Psychology (print and ebook) and the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy Online), directories, dictionaries, bibliographies, indexes, abstracts and other reference materials.  Print reference materials are designated by “REF” or “Reference” on the spine (above the call number) or on the cover of the item.  Since some reference materials may require assistance concerning their use, Library/information research orientations, classes, and other forms of bibliographic and individual/group/class reference services are provided.

Reserves Collection
In support of class instruction, internships, practicum and other educational experiences of the Institute, the Library maintains a Reserves Collection. This collection contains materials identified by the faculty as the required and recommended readings associated with specific coursework and may include articles, books, video and audiotapes, psychological tests, and other resources. The Reserves Collection is restricted in its use and circulation or borrowing privileges.

Serials Collection
The Serials/Journals Collection is non-circulating and consists of more than 163 titles, 143 of which will be subscriptions to the most relevant serial publications related to clinical psychology, philosophy, and theology. Sixty of the current journals subscriptions include access to the E-Journals version  of the title -- the full text, online version.

This collection is supplemented by the Library’s online subscriptions to:

  • The American Psychological Association’s PsycNet (PsycInfo/PsycArticles)
  • Origins Plus (a database of documents of the Catholic Church from the printed monthly publication)
  • Six databases of EBSCOhost (the Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, the Religion, Theology & Philosophy Collection, the SocIndex, the American Theological Library Association ATLA Research & Serials Database, and the Catholic Periodicals & Literature Index).
  • POEISIS (a full text philosophy journals database)
  • Blackwell-Synergy (a full text general scholarly journals database)

These services provide access to more than 3,750 journals full text and to the citations and abstracts of articles in more than 15,000 journals.

To see the most recent list of the IPS MST Library serials/journals, click here to download the Serials Holdings List. Download Serials Holdings List


Psychological Test Collection
The IPS Thelen Library collection of psychological assessment instruments covers the areas of cognitive assessment, personality assessment, assessment of psychopathology, achievement testing, and neuropsychological screening.  The Library also has a collection of specialized assessment instruments aimed at assessing children, parent/child relationships, and marital relationships.  The Thelen Library collection contains more than 96 test kits and related materials and includes some of the most frequently used tests such as the WISC-IV, WAIS-III, Rorschach, TAT and MMPI-2.  Selected test materials are circulated to authorized users and are subject to limited borrowing periods.

Media Collection
The IPS Thelen Library also has a collection of audiotapes.  The Library’s current collection consists of more than 300 titles in the area of psychology and other areas such as theology and philosophy, which are related to the mission of the Institute, and includes IPS class lectures.

Archives & Special Collections
The IPS Archives is located in the Library, as well as a developing Special Collection of materials related to the integration of clinical psychology and Catholic theology.

The Archives consists of video and audiotapes of IPS special events and classes, including the video tapes of the annual John Henry Cardinal Newman Lectures (also known as the Cosmos Club Lectures).  The centerpiece of the Archives, however, is the collection of papers and research by Father Benedict M. Ashley, O.P.   Father Ashley’s collection is an especially important addition to the Thelen Library collections since his research and writings are related to looking at the psychological and health sciences through the lens of Catholic theology.  (These materials are not yet available for general use.)  Additionally, IPS houses the Benedict M. Ashley, O.P. Institute and sponsors an annual lecture on the relationship between Catholic doctrine and the psychological sciences.  These annual lectures are also part of the Archives Collection.  The Archives Collection also includes the papers, minutes, and records of the Anthropology Project and the Human Nature Project of the IPS Scholarly Research Center.

The growing Special Collection includes first editions, rare books, dissertations, and ephemeral material related to integration, clinical psychology, and other areas relevant to the vision and mission of the Institute.