The Washington University Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring 12 libraries (10 on the Danforth Campus; one at West Campus; 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.
Download the University Libraries Fall 2020 Faculty Guide
Video overview
*Please note: numerous Libraries services have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit our COVID-19 Updates and Resources, Curbside Pickup, and Remote Resources and Guidance pages for additional information.
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.
- Search our main catalog
- Find articles, databases, and more
- Interlibrary loan
- Checkout and return
- Campus delivery
- Authorized borrower (proxy) request
- Recommend a purchase
- Access your account
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.
- Guide to remote resources
- Off-campus (proxy server) access
- Explore research guides
- Contact your subject librarian
- Reach out via 24/7 chat
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 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.
- Julian Edison Department of Special Collections
- Digital projects and collections
- Introduction to archives
- Connect with special collections curators and staff
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 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.
