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About the Library

Penrose Library: An Educational Partner

Penrose Library fosters the intellectual engagement and scholarly practice of the Whitman community. We curate and provide access to diverse and unique collections, and teach the skills and concepts needed to navigate complex information environments at Whitman and beyond.

Penrose Library has been consistently highly ranked by the Princeton Review. The library’s digital environment, with more than 150,000 journal titles, 200 databases, 860,700 eBooks and 50,000 streaming videos, complements its more than 670,000-volume print collection. Penrose Library has generous open hours and the facility itself was built to facilitate inquiry, study, and learning. Whitman College and Northwest Archives include 4,800 linear feet of archival and manuscript material and over 8,350 rare books. Whitman College is also a member of the Orbis Cascade Alliance, which combines the assets of academic libraries throughout the Northwest to provide free access and courier delivery of millions of volumes.

Penrose Mission and Values Statement

Penrose Library fosters the intellectual engagement and scholarly practice of the Whitman community. We curate and provide access to diverse and unique collections, and teach the skills and concepts needed to navigate complex information environments at Whitman and beyond.

Penrose Library Vision Statement

Penrose Library will

  • Prioritize inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity in our spaces, collections, staffing, services, programming, workflows, and policies
  • Support the evolving liberal arts curriculum in our collections, services, programs, and events by 
    • providing access to current scholarship and primary sources
    • evaluating and promoting teaching-, research-, and publication-related technologies and methodologies
    • expanding access to institutional and regional history through collection development, collaborative programming, and digital preservation and dissemination
    • teaching information literacy concepts to ensure that students actively and critically engage with ideas and information at Whitman and beyond
  • Act as an innovative collaborator and locus of expertise in information ecosystems, information management, scholarly communications, and collections that document the diverse history of the Walla Walla valley
  • Support campus-wide sustainability initiatives in our spaces, collections, workflows, and policies

(updated January 2024)

Penrose Library Values Statement

Respect

We act with empathy and kindness to instill mutual trust and we recognize the contributions of all employees. We challenge and engage each other in respectful, thoughtful ways.

Diversity and Inclusion

We affirm that diversity and inclusion make our institution stronger. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enrich our environment. We seek to champion equity.

Integrity

We strive for authenticity and accountability in our relationships with others. By our actions we demonstrate a shared responsibility and commitment to justice, service, and excellence.

Privacy and Confidentiality

We protect and advocate for our users’ rights to privacy and confidentiality. We provide a safe environment for the freedom of inquiry.

Collaboration

We value interpersonal relationships and are committed to building a cooperative, supportive, and open community. We work together to enact policies, provide services, and manage Penrose Library’s physical and digital assets.

Embracing Challenge and Change

We see change as an opportunity for innovation. We accept challenges, take risks, and seek out new solutions.

Life-Long Learning

We inspire and enable each other and our patrons to pursue learning and knowledge. We believe that continuing education and professional development are crucial for all members of our community.

Our values are informed by our professional standards, as set forth in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics.

DEIA Statement

Penrose Library supports Whitman College’s Diversity Statement, statements from the American Library Association on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Society of American Archivists' Statement on Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with colleagues from BCALA, APALA, and REFORMA who have articulated critiques and extensions of these statements. The prejudices, injustices, oppression, and violence that arise from racism do not belong here. As a library, we affirm that information is power; that equity, diversity, and inclusion make our institution stronger; and that individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enrich our environment. We acknowledge that the library and archival professions remain predominantly white, and because of this uncomfortable truth, we aim to identify and challenge racism and white supremacy, while striving towards supporting diversity in our fields. We acknowledge that these efforts are ongoing, continuous, and inform all aspects of our work.

Because we acknowledge these realities, we strive to amplify voices of diversity within our collections, and also aspire to champion equity by identifying and building out areas in which our collections are lacking, and thereby enrich the educational goals of the College. We aim to provide equitable access to our collections, programs, and services independent of gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age cohort. We seek to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion within the library, and are committed to partnering with communities on-campus and elsewhere who share these goals. We are advocates of freedom of expression and welcome conversations from library patrons and colleagues; we do not tolerate hate speech. We invite dialogue, encourage research, and support educational initiatives that align with these objectives.

Please consult our DEIA Actions page for more information.

Library Newsletter

Past issues of Library and Archives newsletters can be found in ARMINDA, the institutional repository.

Gifts to Penrose Library

Gifts to Penrose Library are very welcomed and valued. Through the generous support of friends and alumni, donations to the Library have helped build outstanding collections. Gifts, often those that memorialize or honor loved ones, continue to help foster the traditions of scholarship, critical thinking, and lifelong learning that are hallmarks of a Whitman education. Modest gifts are very much appreciated, as are bequests, endowments and larger contributions.

The collections at Penrose are carefully selected to provide balanced, vibrant and timely materials that serve to support the curricular and research needs of our faculty and students. In order to safeguard quality, consistency, and relevance to the needs of the College, donated materials are reviewed using these same criteria in our collection development policy. Moreover, due to space, staffing, and resource limitations, we are unable to accept all gifts of materials.

General Policy

Gifts-in-kind, especially library materials, are accepted with the understanding that they become the property of Whitman College. Penrose Library retains the right to decline, retain, or dispose of the materials at its discretion. Only the Library Director and Collection Strategies Librarian, Head of Collection Strategies may accept in-kind donations on behalf of the library for the general collection. A signed Gift of Property statement must accompany all such donations. For donations to the Archives and Special Collections, please contact the College Archivist and Head of Special Collections, Alexis Hickey (509-526-5922 or [email protected]).

General Library Materials Gift Form

Special Collections Materials Gift Form

Guidelines

General Library Materials

We welcome books and media appropriate for the general library collections if they support the College’s curriculum and faculty research needs. The Library does not accept duplicates of held materials, textbooks, outdated or materials in poor condition, mass-market paperback books, general interest magazines, cassette tapes, software, photocopied materials, vanity press books, popular pamphlets or promotional materials. For DVDs, only commercially produced, in like-new condition will be accepted.

Before bringing gifts of 20 volumes or more to the Library, please contact Lindsay Tebeck, Collection Strategist Librarian, Head of Collection Strategies (509-527-5909 or [email protected]) to discuss the potential donation. Tebeck may also be able to suggest other resources if the potential gift is deemed not appropriate for Penrose Library. Donations are boxed and delivered at the owner’s expense.

Special Collections Materials

Gifts of manuscript collections, rare books, and unique materials, especially those that pertain to Whitman College and northwest regional history, are encouraged. Before such items or materials are donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives, please consult with Alexis Hickey, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian (509-526-4731 or [email protected]). The Development Office encourages donors to consider providing financial support for the processing and preservation of such donated materials, especially if the collection is of substantial size and/or significance.

Appraisals

Donors are responsible for obtaining an appraisal and consulting with a tax advisor in order to obtain such information. Generally, gifts with a declared value over $5,000 will require an independent qualified appraisal; those with a declared value over $500 will require that the donor file IRS Tax Form 8283. Please read IRS publications 526 and 561 for more information. An item over $250 will need to be reviewed by the Development Office rather than the library.

Appraisers may be located through the American Society of Appraisers, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association, or the Appraisers’ Association of America. If you wish to have an appraisal conducted, please do so before donating the materials to Whitman College’s Penrose Library.

All gifts will be acknowledged by letter with a count of the donated items upon request. The Library does not provide a detailed, title-by-title listing.

Access Restrictions

Generally, gifts for which the donor places restrictions on access are not accepted. Exceptions may be made, for a limited time, for certain sensitive materials donated to Whitman College and Northwest Archives. Penrose Library abides by the American Library Association/Society of American Archivists’ 1994 Joint Statement on Access to Original Research Materials.

Donated items that Whitman College’s Penrose Library retains are cataloged and listed in the Library’s catalog. Access to other materials will be governed by established library policies. Materials added to the general collections are interfiled with like books on the same subject. Separately named collections are not maintained.

Financial Support

Monetary gifts, especially those that would enable the purchase of new materials, the delivery of innovative services, additional furnishings, technology enhancements, or the support of special program areas are actively encouraged. Please contact Ping Fu, Library Director (509-527-5193 or [email protected]) or Steve Setchell, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (509-527-5979 or [email protected]) for more information.

Please contact Ping Fu, Library Director (509-527-5193 or [email protected]) if you have any questions or wish to discuss a specific donation.

Student Employment

Below are the positions for which students are usually employed at Penrose Library. Jobs will be posted on Handshake before the beginning of the semester as they become available. Please apply directly through the Handshake website and refer to the specific postings for more information.

  • Archives Assistant
  • Cataloging / Serials Assistant
  • Circulation Assistant
  • Library Office Assistant

Our Student Employment FAQ pages contain more information about working in the library and current information about job openings. General information about student employment on campus can be found on the College’s On-Campus Student Employment page.

Code of Conduct

The following conduct policies aim to ensure a library environment that fully supports the mission of Penrose Library. The Library seeks to provide a clean, safe environment conducive to learning, study, and collaboration.

Individuals will:

  • Be prepared to leave when the building closes.
  • Exit the building immediately in case of an alarm and wait to return until cleared by library staff.
  • Ensure children under the age of 12 are accompanied by an adult.
  • Follow applicable College conduct policies, e.g. Student Rights and * Responsibilities, Other Prohibited Conduct and Faculty Code.

Individuals will not:

Create an unsafe environment for themselves or others. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Harassing, threatening or intimidating others.
  • Engaging in behavior that is unsafe for oneself or others.
  • Using alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances.

Disturb or disrupt other library users or staff. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Creating disturbances, e.g. loud noise or inappropriately demanding the attention of others studying.
  • Showing inappropriate and/or unwelcome attention to library users, student workers or staff, e.g. asking unwelcome personal questions, repeated questions, staring, refusing to end a conversation.
  • Bringing full meals or other large amounts of food into the library. Snack food and drinks in closed containers are permitted. (Library users are expected to clean up any resulting trash and notify staff of any spills.)
  • Leaving or distributing materials without permission.

Misuse library resources or facilities. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Use of transportation devices (such as bicycles, skates, and skateboards) in the building. These restrictions do not apply to mobility or medical assistive devices, or baby strollers.
  • Blocking entrances, ramps or stairways.
  • Misusing, removing or damaging library furniture or damaging the library building.
  • Leaving personal belongings unattended.

Library Use Policy

Penrose Library is committed to maintaining collections that exist as common resources to be shared, preserved, and respected in a manner guaranteeing protection for future users. The ethical use of library materials involves acceptance of this principle and appropriate conduct regarding library collections. We are committed to providing a space for the Whitman community to study, collaborate, and research.

  • The Allen Reading Room is designated as a quiet study area in the library. Please be courteous of other library visitors who prefer to work in a quiet area.

Circulation and Access Policies

Please see our Circulation FAQ Page for information how to borrow materials, loan periods, fines, and other borrowing policies.

Inappropriate Use of Library Materials

Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:

  • Writing upon, defacing, tearing, cutting, mutilating, or destroying books or other library property
  • The willful concealment of a book or other library property on one’s person or among one’s belongings while attempting to leave, or leaving the premises of the Library without formal borrowing through the Circulation Desk
  • The willful concealment of a book or other Library property within the Library
  • The willful removal of a book or other Library property in contravention to Library regulations
  • The intentional alteration or destruction of library ownership records

Engaging in inappropriate use of materials will jeopardize library borrowing privileges.

Materials Challenge Policy

Censorship of the library’s collections will not be tolerated. As a college library, we cultivate a collection of resources and develop displays that are appropriate for the curriculum at Whitman College and an adult audience. Our collection represents various viewpoints that stimulate intellectual inquiry and foster spirited debate. That said, legitimate complaints about library materials or displays will be reviewed based upon the guidelines endorsed by the American Library Association and their Intellectual Freedom Manual, 9th ed.

Complaints about materials, not including those held in the Whitman College and Northwest Archives or those externally licensed by the library, will be handled on a case-by-case basis and can only be made by current Whitman students, faculty, and staff. Penrose Library has delegated the responsibility for the selection and evaluation of materials to its librarians. Should a member of the Whitman community think that certain material is unsuitable for the library’s collection or display, the first step is to discuss their concerns with the Head of Collection Management (Lindsay Tebeck, [email protected]) and/or the Library Director (Ping Fu, [email protected]).

If the issue is not resolved following an informal discussion about the mission of the library and how the material or display supports learning within the higher education environment, the library has established a formal reconsideration procedure to address concerns about those resources. The process includes:

  • Completion of the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form by the person bringing the complaint;
  • Based upon the Penrose Library Collection Development Policy, the Request for Reconsideration will be reviewed by the Library’s Collection Management Team. The Team will develop a recommendation for the Library Advisory Committee;
  • Review of the Request for Reconsideration and the Collection Management Team’s recommendation by the Library Advisory Committee. This may include an interview with the requestor;
  • Determination of the status of the material by the Committee that is conveyed to the requestor in a timely manner.

Penrose Library is committed to providing resources that support the work of our students, faculty, and staff. All requests for reconsideration are taken seriously and will be evaluated in a fair and thorough manner.

Penrose Library Exhibits and Display Policy

Purpose

Library exhibits are an opportunity for outreach and a way to convey our interest in encouraging intellectual curiosity and learning. By showcasing library collections and engaging with other campus communities, Penrose’s exhibits are intended to share narratives about ideas, places, and movements. Exhibits illustrate complex questions and help us to understand our place in the world, challenge us to think broadly, and start conversations across boundaries.

Content

Including materials from library collections and archives in the exhibition is strongly encouraged. In principle, exhibitions should be relevant to Penrose Library, its collection or services. Proposals will be considered on broad appeal, educational content, and appropriateness of subject, technique, and style for the intended location and audience. Penrose Library reserves the right to deny proposals it deems do not fit with the library’s mission.

Approval and Requesting

Any member of the Whitman community may submit an Exhibit Proposal form for exhibits or displays and the Library can help when developing a proposal. Displays are temporary in nature and will last according to the approved dates on the proposal form.

Exhibit and display space is managed by the Penrose Library User Services and Outreach Team, which will respond to proposals. Proposals should be submitted at least two weeks (two months for archival exhibits) in advance of the exhibit opening date, and proposals will be responded to within one week. Penrose Library will not exert editorial control over the exhibition but may provide feedback according to standard best practices. Curators are solely responsible for content creation. The Library has final approval for the layout of the exhibit, exhibit duration, and placement of exhibit. Exhibits by library staff need not be approved, but staff should still fill out an Exhibit Proposal form for the purposes of scheduling.

The Library reserves the right to remove or shut down an exhibit that is not in compliance with safety or ADA guidelines, or endangers patrons in any way. The Library will follow a process for reconsideration when concerns are raised about exhibit content.

Guidelines

Once an exhibit has been approved, the curator will be contacted by an assigned exhibit supervisor. The supervisor will coordinate including materials from library and archival collections for display and guide installation and removal of the exhibit but the curator is responsible for installation and take down of exhibits.

Library reference service is available to curators, as to all other library users, for guidance in the location of relevant library materials, assistance in preparation of exhibit-related bibliographies, and consultation on exhibit technique.

Written components must be readable. The individual, organization, or group sponsoring and curating the exhibit must be visibly and prominently shown in the exhibit. Library materials must be displayed in an archival correct manner, i.e., they must suffer no damage nor be altered in any way by being placed on exhibit. Proper handling and display of archival material must be approved by Archives staff. If damage does occur to library materials, the Library may seek monetary damages and may affect a person’s or group’s future ability to create exhibits at Penrose.

Exhibits are often located in high traffic areas whose visibility reduces the likelihood of damage or theft of materials; however, the Library takes no responsibility for the security or welfare of non-library materials used in exhibits at any time, including during transport, installation, or dismantling.

Supplies/Equipment

Supplies

  • Limited supplies are available (tacks, stands, cradles, support for materials, mylar). Any other costs incurred for the exhibits are to be the sole responsibility of the curator.

Exhibit Areas/Cases Available

  • 2nd floor short stacks, next to the circulation desk. Open display area, no cases or locks.
  • Vitrine (2): 61” Length x 36” Height x 24.5” Depth Movable. Can only be on the main floor. Library staff will position them for curators in designated areas.
  • Stairwell cases (2): 29” L x 55” H x 16” D
  • 1st floor case at bottom of stairwell (1): 45” L x 56” H x 21” D
  • 2nd and 3rd floor large cases (2): 163” L x 56” H x 20.5” D
  • 2nd floor has power. No audio available.

The built-in cases have slots for glass shelves. More shelves and brackets available. 2nd floor case has slots for shelves behind felt.

Note: the Maxey Museum has priority for the use of the large 3rd floor case.

Request for Reconsideration

As a college library, we cultivate a collection of resources and develop displays that are appropriate for the curriculum at Whitman College and an adult audience.

The Library subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights as it applies to exhibit spaces, specifically:

  • The library should not censor or remove an exhibit because some members of the community may disagree with its content. Those who object to the content of any exhibit held at the library should be able to submit their complaint and/or their own exhibit proposal to be judged according to the policies established by the library.
  • Challenges of an exhibit can only be made by current Whitman students, faculty, and staff. Should a member of the Whitman community wish to make a complaint, the first step is to discuss their concerns with the College Librarian. If the complaint is regarding disagreement of exhibit content the College Librarian may decide to inform the exhibit curator of the complaint and facilitate a discussion between the parties. If the complaint concerns library materials, the library will follow the Materials Challenge Policy.
  • If the issue is not resolved following an informal discussion about the mission of the library and how the material or exhibit supports learning within the higher education environment, the library invites requesters to submit a proposal for their own exhibit.
  • Library staff involved in organizing, curating, and/or installing exhibits or displays are deemed to be acting within the course of official duties and under the authority of Penrose Library. Disputes over content, material use, or preservation of staff-led exhibits will be handled internally and not through the reconsideration process.

Endorsed by the Library Advisory Committee, 30 January 2020.

Library Accessibility Statement

If you have materials from Penrose that are not accessible, please fill out the remediation form to the best of your ability or contact us at [email protected]. See below for more information.

Penrose Library is committed to providing equitable access to library collections, services, and facilities for all library users as stated in the Penrose Library’s Mission and Values statement and the Whitman College Strategic Priorities. Penrose Library strives to follow universal design principles and create physical and digital environments that address the needs of the broadest range of patrons possible by following the best practices and standards for accessibility. For web pages and systems under our direct control, we will work to update them to adhere to WCAG 2.0. For materials and systems licensed from third-party vendors, we will communicate issues brought to our attention with the vendors and work with them to address deficiencies. Penrose Library seeks to select and acquire, whenever possible, resources and technologies that are in line with universal design principles.

Penrose Library will provide patrons alternative formats or assistance when resources are not fully accessible. Please fill out the remediation form to the best of your ability or contact us at [email protected] with questions. We will try and fill requests in as timely a manner as possible. This form is sent to Emily Pearson (Instructional Coordinator and Outreach Librarian). We will maintain the data to find patterns in inaccessible material, but will not keep records of who requested materials once we fulfill a request.

Poster Policy

Penrose Library welcomes students, staff, faculty, and community members to post materials to our designated boards in the library. The following guidelines must be followed in posting. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

  • Materials can only be posted on the designated boards on the main floor of the library, one in the foyer, two near the bathrooms on the main (2nd) floor. The boards near the bathrooms are divided between dated events and year or semester long information flyers. No posters/signs/promotional material may be hung on the exterior surfaces, windows, doors, or walls of the library.
  • The library is not responsible for the content of materials produced by other campus and community groups. The library reserves the right to remove materials deemed potentially offensive. 
  • Dated postings may be displayed for up to three weeks prior to an event. Undated materials in the foyer may be moved to other boards or discarded after a month. Postings without a specific date will be displayed for a reasonable length of time, as determined by the library, and then removed and recycled.
  • There must be some sort of identifying information such as an office/club/organization logo, personal email, or other contact information.
  • Posted materials may be no larger than 18 inches x 24 inches. Special consideration will be given for college-wide initiatives and events.
  • The distribution of promotional material in any manner other than posting on the bulletin boards is prohibited. This includes flyers, table tents, and similar forms of advertisement. The racks in the foyer can be used to distribute magazines, flyers, or other take-away materials. 

Location and Directions

Penrose Library 345 Boyer Avenue Walla Walla, WA 99362

Penrose Library is located at the heart of the Whitman College campus. On the campus map below, we are to the left of Ankeny Field. Parking is available, both on street and in the lot off Park Street.

Campus Map