Buros Center Library Use Policy

Welcome

The Oscar K. Buros Library of Mental Measurements is a special reference library located in Room 23 of Teachers College Hall. It contains the world’s largest collection of educational and psychological tests, acquired during the production of the Mental Measurements Yearbook, Tests in Print, and Pruebas Publicadas en Español series. These three series have provided critical test reviews and vital information about tests for more than 85 years. The library also houses a substantial collection of measurement-related books and journals. The Buros Library and its holdings comprise an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and the general public. Its unique holdings and collections can never be replicated.

The Buros Library has been housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for over 45 years. Since 2001, the library has been in its current location. The library’s endowment represents the sole source of funds used to furnish and operate the library. The space is nicely appointed with large tables and padded chairs to accommodate close inspection of test materials. Its south-facing wall consists of floor-to-ceiling windows, with two glass doors that open onto a landscaped courtyard. Original works of art created and donated by renowned artist and library benefactor, Luella Buros, complement the furnishings. In addition, artifacts and photographs from her private collection depicting Oscar and Luella’s lives and work are on display in the library.

The existence of the Buros Library, many of its holdings, and almost all its artwork owes directly to the generosity of its founders, Oscar and Luella Buros. Their lifelong devotion to improving the science and practice of testing and assessment continues to meet a wide array of research needs for faculty and students. Their commitment and benevolence inspire the staff of the Buros Center for Testing to be active stewards of their legacy.

Policies for General Use

Hours

The Buros Library is “open” during the hours when it is staffed by a librarian (graduate assistant). The library is open for about 25 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. The open hours vary each semester, but generally occur in half-day increments, Monday through Thursday, and by appointment during the Buros Center's regular business hours (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). The library may be open occasionally on Fridays and during the summer but generally is closed at these times. During these times, access may be arranged by appointment.

Visits and Library Instruction Sessions

To arrange a visit, tour, or library instruction session, please contact the Buros Center’s Office Associate. Visits, tours, and instruction sessions normally occur during normal business hours. However, instruction sessions for classes that meet in the evening generally can be accommodated; contact the Associate Director to request special arrangements.

To arrange a visit, tour, or library instruction session, please contact the Buros Center’s Office Associate. Visits, tours, and instruction sessions normally occur during normal business hours. However, instruction sessions for classes that meet in the evening generally can be accommodated; contact the Associate Director to request special arrangements.

Collections

The primary collection housed in the Buros Library consists of educational and psychological tests, acquired across several decades. Approximately 8,500 tests comprise the collection. The tests provide measures of many different constructs of interest to psychologists, educators, and historians including personality, vocational skills and interests, achievement, general ability, neuropsychology, development, language, reading, sensory-motor, speech, hearing, and behavior. Because tests developed for educational and psychological purposes are considered secure, all test materials are retained in locked storage units at the north end of the library. With few exceptions, tests in the collection are those that have been indexed and described in Tests in Print and Pruebas Publicadas en Español. These important reference books provide vital descriptive information about commercially available tests published in English and Spanish, respectively, and are updated and published regularly by the Buros Center for Testing.

In addition to the test collection, the Buros Library contains about 2,000 books related to measurement, testing, and assessment, including many classic texts by renowned authors. Holdings also include several complete sets of the Mental Measurements Yearbook series (21 volumes), Tests in Print series (10 volumes), Pruebas Publicadas en Español (3 volumes), Buros-Nebraska Series on Measurement in Testing (11 volumes), Buros Desk Reference series (2 volumes), and the Mental Measurements Yearbook Monographs series (10 volumes).

Finally, the Buros Library houses a special collection of about 600 books originally owned by Oscar Buros and shelved separately within the library. Many of the books in the Oscar K. Buros collection were annotated by Oscar himself and all bear his signature on the end-pages.

Access to Collections

Librarian assistance is necessary to access all test materials as well as books in the Oscar K. Buros collection. Consistent with reference library practices, these materials are retrieved and re-shelved by the librarian on duty. To preserve test security, library patrons wishing to access test materials are required to show identification (e.g., NU ID or other photo identification) and to provide contact information. Access to test materials is restricted to individuals over the age of 19 years. Other restrictions may apply to individuals who are not enrolled in relevant courses (e.g., courses related to testing, assessment, or measurement; research courses).

Library users also may need the librarian’s assistance in locating and accessing books in the general collection (which excludes those in the Oscar K. Buros collection) as some books are oversized or located on very high shelves. Books are arranged alphabetically by author. Nonreference books are catalogued on the librarian’s desktop computer. Select testing and measurement periodicals are not catalogued and may be accessed by browsing the shelves containing journals. Journals are arranged alphabetically by title. Books and journals should be left on a library table rather than re-shelved. All library materials (books, tests, artwork, etc.) must remain in the library at all times and may not be removed from the library.

Copyright Restrictions

No portion of any tests or other resources held by the library may be copied or duplicated in any way, including but not limited to the use of any electronic technology. Photographs taken with cell phones are not allowed.

Technology

The library is equipped with wireless internet access as well as a ceiling-mounted projector that requires a remote control and a switch-operated projection screen. Instructions to access the remote control and to deploy the projection screen may be obtained from the Buros Center’s Office Associate. Library patrons are welcome to bring laptop computers for use in the library provided such use does not violate library policies. Several electrical outlets are available, primarily along the south wall and in the soft seating area towards the back of the main room.

Safety and Related Information

In addition to building exits, two glass doors are found along the south wall of the Buros Library. These doors lead directly to an outdoor courtyard between Teachers College and Henzlik Halls and are normally locked. A Buros Center staff member unlocks the doors prior to the beginning of an event and locks the doors at its conclusion. An exit door equipped with an automatic opener may be found at the end of the hallway adjacent to the restrooms.

The nearest fire alarm is located across from the library’s front door, in the vestibule adjoining the library. A second fire alarm is located at the foot of the stairs near the elevator; a third fire alarm is located near the women’s restroom. Each alarm may be activated by pulling down on the handle. The nearest fire extinguisher is located next to the water fountain that is visible as one exits the library via its front door. A second fire extinguisher is located down the hallway to the right as one exits the library at the corner.

Automatic external defibrillators (AED) are in the Counseling and School Psychology Clinic (50.1 Teachers College Hall) and the lobby area outside of the doors to the Pixel Lab (123 Henzlik Hall, which is one floor above the library and further to the east). The cabinets are unlocked. The equipment is fully automated. Opening the AED case initiates voice prompts that provide specific instructions on what to do while various sensors monitor a patient’s status.

A first aid kit is maintained in the main office of the Buros Center for Testing (Room 21 of Teachers College Hall). Please ask a Buros Center staff member for assistance, if needed.

The Buros Library is not responsible for damage to or loss of personal property or other items left in the library. Items found in the library may be taken to the main office of the Buros Center for Testing (Room 21 Teachers College Hall). Rightful owners may retrieve belongings from the Buros Center Office Associate.

Individuals with Disabilities

The Buros Library is on the ground floor of Teachers College Hall, a location that is accessible to persons with mobility issues via the building’s elevator and via the courtyard entrance. Service animals are welcome.

Code of Conduct

To preserve a quiet, user-friendly environment, please refrain from using cell phones or other noise-making technology while in the Buros Library. As with other buildings on campus, tobacco use is prohibited in the library.

During ordinary use, food and drinks are not allowed in the library as they pose significant risks of damage to test materials, books, and other resources held by the library.

Library tables and chairs may be moved within the library to accommodate specific academic programs or other activities. Please do not move the plants. Kindly reset the furniture to its original order upon completion of the program or activity.

Individuals under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent, guardian, teacher, or other responsible adult.

Policies for Special Uses

Faculty and staff members of the College of Education and Human Sciences may request to use the Buros Library for purposes other than those related to its primary purpose as a reference library serving faculty, students, and researchers. The following policies have been developed to protect the integrity of the library’s holdings and furnishings and to preserve its primary function as a special reference library.

Availability

The Buros Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Use of the Buros Library may be requested when such use will occur during hours when (a) the Buros Center for Testing is open, and (b) the Buros Library is not staffed by a librarian (graduate assistant) as staffing signifies that the library is “open” for business as a reference library. Library hours for the current semester are available online (https://buros.org/oscar-k-buros-library-mental-measurements). The Buros Center is not staffed after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends. All events must begin and conclude within business hours and must be accessible for monitoring by Buros staff.

Requests made more than three months in advance generally are not accepted. Standing appointments (e.g., class meetings every week for an entire semester) cannot be accommodated.

The Buros Center for Testing reserves the right to rescind permission to use the library in the unlikely event that members of the Buros staff require use of the library at the same time for business purposes. Every effort will be made to avoid such situations.

TO REQUEST USE OF THE BUROS LIBRARY

Review the policies described herein as “Policies for Special Uses.” Then, send an email request to the Buros Center Office Associate (Zoe McManaman) and include the following information:

• Name of person making the request
• Students making a request must provide the name of a faculty sponsor
• E-mail and phone number of person making the request/faculty sponsor
• Group/organization seeking to use the library
• Nature of the program/event/meeting
• Number of people expected to attend

If the library is available at the requested time, the Buros Center Office Associate will (a) verify that the individual making the request has reviewed and agreed to abide by the relevant library policies, and (b) confirm the schedule with the individual who made the request. Just prior to the event, access to the library will be provided by the Office Associate or another member of the Buros Center staff. Cancellations should be communicated to the Buros Center Office Associate as soon as possible.

There is no charge to use the library for academic programs, events, or meetings.

Events involving food and beverage are not permitted.

The group or individual sponsoring an event is responsible for ensuring that the Buros Library is not left unattended and unlocked at any time during the event.

The event sponsor must inform a Buros Center staff member at the conclusion of the event so that the library may be secured properly. Please report mishaps of any kind to a member of the Buros staff.

The group or individual sponsoring the event is responsible for setting up the library for the event. Library tables and chairs may be moved within the library to accommodate specific academic programs or related activities. Please do not move the plants.

The event sponsor is responsible for restoring the library to its original state, including returning furniture to its previous configuration (see Appendix A).

All trash must be removed from the library premises at the conclusion of the event and discarded in an appropriate trash receptacle. If necessary, the sponsoring group or individual should contact custodial staff in advance of the planned event to obtain large trash receptacles and bags. Buros Center staff members should not be expected to secure trash bags and receptacles.

Responsibility for expenses to cover extraordinary cleaning or repair of damages rests with the individual who reserved the library.

The group or individual sponsoring an event in the Buros Library must inform attendees of the locations of fire emergency exits, fire alarms, fire extinguisher, automatic external defibrillators (AED), and restrooms.

 The event host is responsible for ensuring that event attendance does not exceed the maximum occupancy (of 49) established by UNL Facilities Management.

Groups or individuals sponsoring events in the Buros Library are responsible for arranging special accommodations for participants (e.g., assisted learning devices).

Groups may not affix any materials to the walls or doors of the library.

The library is equipped with wireless internet access, ceiling-mounted projector (requires remote control—consult Buros Center Office Associate), and switch-operated projection screen (ask for assistance if needed). Buros Center staff members are not available to assist with other technology needs.