Academic Catalog 2025-2026

University Library

The University Library, housed on the five floors of the Leo F. Cain Educational Resources Center (ERC), serves the needs of students, faculty and staff with a faculty of ten librarians and support staff. The collection includes over 638,000 volumes as well as more than 26,000 periodical titles available in print and electronic formats. With the exception of archival and reserve materials, all library materials are arranged on open shelves to facilitate maximum use of the collection and to encourage browsing or study in any field of interest. A mutual use agreement covering all of the California State University libraries enables Dominguez Hills students to borrow materials from any of the 23 libraries within the CSU system with a current Dominguez Hills ID card.

Library faculty at the Reference Desk offer assistance and instruction in the use of print and electronic library resources as well as delivering subject-oriented lectures and demonstrations to classes upon request. Microcomputer workstations in the Reference area provide free electronic access to over 100 bibliographic, statistical, and full-text databases in the humanities and social sciences, business, education, medicine, psychology, public affairs, science and current news and events. The Library website at http://library.csudh.edu provides links to the online public access catalog, Internet resources and University services as well as a comprehensive guide to Library collections and online databases. These databases are also available from off-campus to currently registered students, faculty, and university staff.

The Donald R. & Beverly J. Gerth Archives and Special Collections Department manages the University's archives, as well as the Local History Collection, digitized historic photographs, and other rare or unique materials. The Board of Trustees has designated this department as the official repository for the California State University System.

Mission

The University Library fosters student success, scholarly research, and academic excellence through the provision of information resources; user-centered services and learning experiences; and welcoming, technology-enhanced environments that facilitate lifelong learning, collaboration, innovation, and the acquisition of information literacy skills.

Vision

As an essential campus partner, the University Library aspires to:

  • be the center of intellectual and creative life at CSUDH, facilitating teaching, learning, research, intellectual inquiry, and curiosity.
  • be an innovative, collaborative, inclusive, and flexible organization that provides responsive, learner-centered services and technologies that meet the evolving information, curricular, and research needs of CSUDH students, faculty, and staff and the surrounding community.
  • provide vibrant, welcoming, and engaging learner-centered physical and virtual spaces that facilitate innovation, collaboration, and boundary-free access to information.

Core Values

Student Success and Information Literacy

We are passionate about student learning and student success. Because we believe that information literacy is critical to students’ success in their academic, professional, and personal lives, we champion the integration of information literacy across the curriculum.

Collaboration

We value teamwork and partnerships, seek new ways to engage with the campus and community, and view collaboration as essential to achieving our mission. Continuous Improvement We foster a culture of continuous improvement, value the unique contributions of all library employees, and strive to provide learning opportunities that advance personal, professional, and organizational growth and excellence.

Diversity

We value inclusiveness and intellectual and cultural diversity and foster a climate of openness and appreciation for differing perspectives. We encourage experimentation, creativity, and curiosity; value innovative uses of technology to promote student success, learning and access to information resources; and embrace the continued evolution of libraries from print repositories to collaborative learning spaces and providers of digital resources.

Intellectual Inquiry

We value intellectual and academic freedom and facilitate the pursuit of intellectual inquiry.

Lifelong Learning and User-Centered Services

We value and foster the lifelong quest for knowledge and self-development and strive to create a welcoming and responsive environment where every person feels valued.

Open Access

We value open access to information and support the growing open access movement in higher education.

Strategic Goals

Over the next five academic years (2016-2021), the CSUDH University Library will make progress in the following overarching goals identified in the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan:

  • Students
  • Programs
  • Faculty
  • Research and Creative Activity
  • Public Service and Community Outreach
  • Sense of Historical Identity and Diversity
  • Space

Working action plans will be developed annually to document planning, timelines, and measurable outcomes for each of the identified strategic directions.