Lilly Library

Lilly Library is the principal rare books, manuscripts, and special collections repository of Indiana University Bloomington. Opened in 1960, it was established through a major gift from Josiah K. Lilly Jr., a prominent pharmaceutical executive and bibliophile from the Lilly family. The library's holdings span from cuneiform tablets to contemporary authors' archives, making it a premier research institution for scholars worldwide. It is renowned for its extensive collections of early printed books, American literature, British literature, and significant holdings in science, medicine, and children's literature.

History

The library's foundation was laid in 1954 when Indiana University President Herman B Wells began negotiations with Josiah K. Lilly Jr., who sought a permanent home for his vast personal collection. The cornerstone for the new building was laid in 1957, with the facility opening to the public in 1960. Its initial core was formed by Lilly's extraordinary collections of American Civil War materials, incunabula, and first editions of English literature. Under the leadership of its first director, David A. Randall, the library aggressively expanded its holdings through strategic acquisitions, including the papers of Upton Sinclair and the celebrated Scribner's Archive. Subsequent directors, such as William R. Cagle and Brenda L. Johnson, continued to build upon this legacy, securing major collections like the Ian Fleming manuscripts and the archives of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.

Collections

The library's collections are vast and multidisciplinary, anchored by several world-class holdings. Its Gutenberg Bible, one of only five complete vellum copies in the world, is a centerpiece. The literature collections are exceptionally strong, featuring original manuscripts of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath", and the papers of George Bernard Shaw and J.D. Salinger. The history of science collection includes works by Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin, alongside a major assembly of early medical texts. Other notable areas include one of the nation's finest collections of children's literature and illustration, the comprehensive film scripts archive, and significant holdings of sheet music and cartography. The manuscript collections encompass personal papers from figures like Orson Welles, David Foster Wallace, and Juan Perón.

Building and facilities

Designed by the firm Eggers and Higgins in a Neoclassical style, the building is situated at the heart of the Indiana University Bloomington campus, adjacent to the Showalter Fountain. Its exterior is distinguished by Indiana limestone and a portico with six Ionic columns. The interior features a grand two-story reading room with a coffered ceiling, extensive secure stack areas, and specialized climate-controlled vaults for its most fragile items. A modern renovation completed in 2019 added state-of-the-art conservation laboratories, enhanced exhibition galleries, and improved seminar rooms to support both research and public engagement. The facility also houses the offices of the Society for Indiana Archivists and hosts the Indiana University Press book imprint launch events.

Exhibitions and public programs

The library maintains an active schedule of exhibitions drawn from its collections, which have included showcases on Shakespeare's First Folio, the art of bookbinding, and the literary world of the Beat Generation. It regularly hosts lectures, symposia, and conferences that attract scholars from institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Morgan Library & Museum. A key annual event is the fall lecture series, which has featured notable speakers such as Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, and Robert Caro. The library's outreach extends to K–12 education programs, curated tours for groups like the Grolier Club, and collaborative projects with the Kinsey Institute and the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Significance and recognition

Widely regarded as one of the top rare book libraries in the United States, it serves as an indispensable resource for researchers from Harvard University to the University of Oxford. Its collections have been instrumental in major scholarly projects, including the editing of the John Donne variorum and biographies of Walt Whitman. The library has received prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for cataloging and digitization initiatives. It is a member of the Independent Research Libraries Association and its holdings are frequently featured in publications like *The New York Times* and on networks such as C-SPAN. The library's role in preserving cultural heritage and supporting advanced scholarship ensures its continued prominence in the global academic community.

Category:Indiana University Category:Rare book libraries in the United States Category:Libraries established in 1960 Category:Buildings and structures in Bloomington, Indiana