For Staff

The towers of Brookings Hall against a cloudy sky at dusk.

The Washington University Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring 9 libraries (7 locations on the Danforth Campus, one on the West Campus, and one at the Medical School), vast print and electronic collections, and expert librarians.

University Libraries are here for YOU! Our array of collections, services, and resources are available to all staff with a current Washington University ID.

Explore and Utilize 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. Our “Pop Lit” collection on Level 1 of Olin Library includes recent best sellers and mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, and fantasy titles, and our media collection includes CDs, DVDs, and more.

Discover Remote Resources

A wealth of research and academic materials are 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.

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 and assist with course reserves. If you are not sure where to start, we recommend asking in chat or visiting our FAQs.

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 answer questions and offer personalized assistance.

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

You are also welcome to sign-up for our monthly email newsletter Libraries Now and follow us on social media for the latest news and event updates.

Join the University Libraries

Are you looking to join the University Libraries? Check our Employment page for open staff positions.

Services For Faculty

The University Libraries offer numerous services to support faculty research and instruction.

Services for Students

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

Services for Visitors and 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.