Welcome to Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library

The Library Services website is your portal to the PLU library collection. You can search our library catalog, online databases, indexes, and encyclopedias, and access most of our periodical collection; over 90% of our journal subscriptions are online. The PLU library offers:

260,000+ volumes of books
23,000+ full-text journals
14,000+ e-books
105 electronic databases
95 course and subject research guides

In the 2011 fall semester, Library Services librarians taught 65 library research workshops. Why not schedule one for your class?

The oldest book in the PLU collection is a psalter by Johann Bugenhagen published in 1524.

The Mortvedt Library building is home to an information commons, housing the university's print collection as well as providing access to over 60 computers, wireless Internet access, and the many services provided by the division of I&TS. Academic Assistance and the student Writing Center are also housed here. Whether you need help with background research for your paper, writing critiques, designing websites and presentations, or just a quiet place to work, it's all available at the library.

Our vision

The Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library is committed to excellence in service that enables, empowers, and encourages life-long learning. The library provides access to information resources that advance the teaching of critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge for the Pacific Lutheran University Community.

Our mission

The mission of the library is to support the university in providing quality education in preparation for lives of service. To that end, we:

• Provide quality customer service
• Select, purchase, organize, and maintain a quality library collection
• Offer access to material and information resources regardless of format or location
• Anticipate information needs in an increasingly globalized community
• Teach efficient techniques of information retrieval as well as critical evaluation and effective use of resources
• Provide leadership in the use of information technology on campus
• Promote diversity, intellectual integrity, and freedom of inquiry and expression

In an effort to realize our vision and carry out our mission, we recognize that the most important resource in our library is the people. Therefore, we will:

• Empower staff with continuing education and training
• Strive for a collaborative environment where staff contribute ideas freely, are innovative, creative, and take pride in their work.