For Faculty

A faculty member and student discussing an art installation.

The Washington University Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring 9 libraries (7 locations on the Danforth Campus, one at the West Campus, and one at the Medical School), vast print and electronic collections, and expert librarians whose first priority is helping students and faculty find the information they need.

Explore Our Collections | Review for Retention | Remote Resources | Support for Teaching and Information Literacy | Data Services | Access Special Collections | Open Scholarship | Stay Connected

Explore our Collections

The University Libraries house approximately two million print books, more than 60,000 print journals, over two million ebooks, and hundreds of databases, as well as a wide selection of audio-visual materials, manuscripts, and more.

Review for Retention

Items flagged for deaccessioning based on their condition, redundancy, out-of-scope holdings, or care requirements will be posted on the Libraries’ website for one month, to allow for faculty review and comments before removal from the Libraries’ collections. Retained items, after any necessary treatment, will be returned to library stacks.

Discover Remote Resources

A wealth of research and academic materials is available remotely. Our ebooks and ejournals, databases, and research guides are accessible 24/7. You can use these electronic resources from off-campus by logging into our proxy server. A librarian can assist you in embedding online resources into your Canvas course, too.

Support for Teaching and Information Literacy

Our Instruction and Information Literacy Program provides services that can be tailored to your disciplines and course needs. Through the program, library staff will collaborate with you on the design of research assignments, virtually teach instruction sessions focused on research, source evaluation, and synthesis, and embed in the university’s Learning Management System to work online with you and your students.

Connect with Your Subject Librarian

Our subject librarians assist every department at the university and are on call to help you find the information you need. They can provide one-on-one research consultations, visit your class remotely or in-person to give instruction on library resources, create research guides for your disciplines, and assist with course reserves.

Enhance Your Data and Organize Your Research

If you need guidance in understanding, managing, sharing, or analyzing data, or visually communicating through graphics or maps, our Data Services team can help. Organize your research or plan a project with assistance from our knowledgeable, experienced staff. Data Services provides consultations via virtual help desk Monday–Thursday, as well as providing data-related virtual workshops that can be adapted to your class needs.

Copyright and Publishing Support

Scholarly Communication and Digital Publishing Services offers up-to-date information on copyright, intellectual property rights, open access, and best practices for publishing in relation to evolving trends and technologies. The unit can help you explore options for sharing and using scholarship and assist with licensing, privacy, and other issues related to research and teaching. The team can also assist with copyright questions related to online instruction.

Access Unique Collections

The Julian Edison Department of Special Collections houses a vast range of rare primary source materials in a number of diverse collecting areas. Check out the archival projects and digitized collections on our website, or get in touch with our curators, who can provide instruction, expertise, and support for integrating these materials in your classes.

Explore Scholarship Across Washington University

Our Digital Library Program Services team maintains Washington University’s Open Scholarship repository, a platform for the university’s scholarly output. The site provides free access to course projects, faculty research, books, theses and dissertations, and journals.

Stay Connected

A few times each semester the University Libraries send The Scholar, an email newsletter for faculty with details about our latest resources, news, and exhibits. You are also welcome to follow us on social media and subscribe to our monthly email newsletter with additional news and events highlights.

Cyclist outside Olin Library

Faculty Libraries Council

The Faculty Libraries Council serves as an advocate to University leadership for the University Libraries and their priorities.

Services for Students

Learn more about the University Libraries services available for students, including connections to our collections, remote resources, library spaces, expert assistance, research support, and more.

Services for Staff

An array of collections, services, and resources are available to all staff with a WashU ID.

Services for Visitors & Alumni

There are many ways that the University Libraries provide access and support to visitors and alumni. Learn more about ways visitors can take advantage of the collections and services at the University Libraries.