Whitmore Library

The Whitmore Library system is one of the largest academic library networks in the world, holding more than 18 million volumes, 400 million manuscript pages, and providing access to over 100,000 digital journals and databases. It is named after our founder, which means it, too, requires a moment of adjustment from first-time visitors.

Collections

• General Stacks: 18 million print volumes across all disciplines, open to all current students, faculty, and staff.
• Special Collections: Rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials dating to the 15th century, including the largest private collection of African American correspondence and ephemera in the United States.
• Digital Resources: Over 100,000 e-journals, 2 million e-books, and 400+ licensed databases available on and off campus.
• The Reclamation Archive: A dedicated collection of primary sources documenting the history of racial language in America — its use as a weapon, and its reclamation as a source of identity and power. Researchers from 40 countries have used the archive in the past year alone.
• Government Documents: A federal depository library since 1903, holding complete runs of Congressional records, federal court filings, and executive agency publications.

Services

• 24/7 access to main reading rooms during term time
• Research consultations with subject librarians in all 12 schools
• Interlibrary loan with 800+ partner institutions worldwide
• Digitisation on demand for archival materials
• Writing and citation support through the Academic Skills Centre