University Libraries

Overview

• The University has the state’s largest library system, with nearly 5 million volumes.
• UI Libraries rank among the top 25 public academic research libraries in the country.
• 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.
• InfoHawk Gateway, an online catalog, searches holdings in the UI Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, Law Library, Curriculum Lab and 9 UI branch libraries, and the State Historical Society of Iowa. The LibInfoHawk also serves as a gateway to other library catalogs, periodical indexes and abstracts, reference materials, and other web-based resources.
• Holdings include more than 200,000 rare books, 15,000 linear feet of manuscripts, 11,000 electronic journals, and historically significant collections such as the Iowa Women’s Archives and the Szathmáry Collection of Culinary Arts.
• UI librarians answer some 75,000 reference questions and teach more than 18,000 students each year.

Departmental Libraries

The system is comprised of the Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, and 8 branch libraries and the independent Law Library:

• Art Library
• Biological Sciences Library
• Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library
• Lichtenberger Engineering Library
• Geoscience Library
• Mathematical Sciences Library
• Rita Benton Music Library
• Physics 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:

• Map Collection
• Special Collections and University Archives
• Iowa Women’s Archives
• International Dada Archive
• John Martin Rare Book Room
• Iowa Digital Library
• 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 62,000 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.

For more information, visit the University Libraries web page, or read about the Libraries’ achievements in their annual reports. For more information about the Law Library, see the Law Library site.