Cornell University Library

Cornell University Library
Name	Cornell University Library
Established	1865
Location	Ithaca, New York
Collection size	Over 8 million printed volumes
Director	Elaine L. Westbrooks
Website	library.cornell.edu

Cornell University Library is the library system of Cornell University, serving as a central academic resource for its students, faculty, and researchers. Founded concurrently with the university in 1865, it has grown into one of the leading academic research libraries in the United States. The system is distinguished by its deep and diverse collections, its innovative digital initiatives, and its network of over twenty physical locations across the Ithaca campus and beyond. It operates under the guiding principle articulated by university co-founder Ezra Cornell: "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study."

History

The library's origins are intertwined with the founding of Cornell University itself, with the first collection housed in Morrill Hall. Under the leadership of its first university librarian, Willard Fiske, the collections grew rapidly through strategic purchases and notable gifts, including the renowned White Library of Andrew Dickson White. The completion of the iconic McGraw Tower and the Uris Library building in 1891 provided a centralized home, designed by architect William Henry Miller. Throughout the 20th century, the system expanded with major additions like the John M. Olin Library and specialized libraries for fields such as entomology and industrial relations, continually adapting to support the university's land-grant mission and global research ambitions.

Collections

The library's collections exceed 8 million printed volumes and encompass vast digital resources, rare manuscripts, and unique archival holdings. It is a designated Federal Depository Library and holds significant materials in areas like ornithology, Southeast Asian studies, and the history of science. Notable collections include the Kroch Library's extensive holdings on Nazi Germany and the Human Sexuality Collection. The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections safeguards treasures such as the archives of Vladimir Nabokov, the Hip Hop Collection, and one of the world's largest collections on the French Revolution. The library is also a leader in digitization through its HathiTrust partnership and the arXiv preprint repository for physics, mathematics, and computer science.

Divisions and locations

The system comprises over twenty individual libraries, centers, and archives, each serving specific disciplines and communities. Central humanities and social sciences collections are housed in the John M. Olin Library and the underground Uris Library. STEM fields are supported by facilities like the Engineering Library and the Mann Library for agriculture and life sciences. Specialized units include the Catherwood Library for industrial relations, the Law Library of Cornell Law School, and the Fine Arts Library in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. The Albert R. Mann Library and the Library Annex provide critical off-site storage and preservation services for millions of items.

Services and initiatives

The library provides a comprehensive suite of services including in-depth research consultations, extensive instruction programs, and interlibrary loan through networks like the Ivy Plus Libraries Confederation. It is a pioneer in digital scholarship, offering support through the Digital CoLab and managing open-access platforms such as eCommons. Preservation and conservation are handled by experts in the Department of Preservation and Conservation. Key initiatives include the Library Gateway for unified discovery, the Ask a Librarian service, and active participation in global collaborations like the Digital Preservation Network and the Open Access movement.

Governance and administration

The library is led by the Carl A. Kroch University Librarian, a position held by Elaine L. Westbrooks. It operates under the purview of the university's Provost and is advised by a Library Board. Financial support comes from the university's endowment, annual appropriations from Cornell University, and generous gifts from donors such as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Strategic direction is set through collaborations with academic departments, the Graduate School, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, ensuring alignment with the university's educational and research missions.

Notable people

Many distinguished individuals have shaped the library's history and collections. Its first librarian, Willard Fiske, was a renowned bibliographer and linguist. Subsequent leaders like historian Thomas P. Martin and librarian-inventor John M. Olin expanded its global reach. Faculty curators, including entomologist John Henry Comstock, built world-class specialized collections. The library has also been stewarded by notable figures like Shan Sutton, former associate university librarian, and benefits from the advocacy of donors such as Carl A. Kroch and L. LaMont Montgomery.

Category:Cornell University Category:University and college libraries in New York (state)