University Libraries

Overview

• The University has the state’s largest library system, with nearly 5 million volumes.
• The UI College of Law Library has over 1 million volumes. It has the second largest collection of volumes and volume equivalents among all law school libraries.
• SmartSearch searches for print and online books and journals, articles, library webpages, digital collections, and more simultaneously.
• Holdings include more than 200,000 rare books and historically significant collections such as the Iowa Women’s Archives and the Szathmáry Collection of Culinary Arts.
• UI librarians answer some 52,000 reference questions and teach more than 18,000 individuals each year.

Branch Libraries

The system is comprised of the Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, the independent Law Library, and five branch libraries:

• Art Library
• Sciences Library
• Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library
• Lichtenberger Engineering Library
• Rita Benton Music Library

Main Library Research Collections

The Libraries holds an extensive collection of research materials, government publications, and online information resources. The Libraries also offers extensive reference services as well as access to hundreds of databases. Specialty collections include:

• Special Collections and University Archives
• Iowa Women’s Archives
• International Dada Archive
• East Asian Collection
• John Martin Rare Book Room
• Iowa Digital Library
• Iowa Research Online—the university's institutional respository
• Media Collection
• Map Collection
• Additional research collections on campus

The Libraries continues to play a central role in serving the information needs of Iowa citizens. In a typical year, more than 45,000 items are delivered to doctors, businesses, educators, scholars, and institutions around the globe. The Libraries works cooperatively with Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to provide collective access to individuals requesting materials through their local library.

More Information

For more information, visit the University Libraries web page. For more information about the Law Library, see the Law Library site.