The Current Periodicals Section , adjacent to the reference collection, offers easy browsing of the most current editions of magazines, newspapers and scholarly journals. A comfortable reading area and a photocopier are adjacent to the shelves. Back issues of journals are collected in microform or are bound and shelved on the lower level of the library where patrons will find a second photocopier, near the elevator. The micro format saves space and permits the retention of material that would otherwise become brittle and deteriorate with age. This collection numbers about 9,500 reels of microfilm and 68,000 microfiche.
Machines are available for reading and making paper copies of the articles.
The Government Documents Collection contains over 150,000 federal and State of Ohio documents. Hiram College has been a depository of federal documents since 1874. Two depository libraries are permitted in each congressional district to provide public access to government information. Hiram's collection is split into two locations. Post 1970 documents may be found on the main level of the library, with earlier publications housed in compact shelving on the lower level.