Tulane University Library

Tulane University Library is a major research library located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a part of Tulane University. The library was established in 1834, the same year Tulane University was founded by Paul Tulane and Joseph Gibson. The library has a long history of supporting the academic and research needs of the university community, including Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences, and Vera Cruz. The library's collections and services are also used by researchers from Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

● History

The history of the library dates back to 1834, when Tulane University was founded by Paul Tulane and Joseph Gibson. The library's early collections were influenced by the American Library Association and the Library of Congress. Over the years, the library has undergone several transformations, including the construction of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library in 1963, which was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The library has also been affected by significant events, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused widespread damage to the library's collections and facilities, and the subsequent rebuilding efforts supported by Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Endowment for the Humanities. The library's history is also closely tied to the history of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Southern United States, including the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era.

● Collections

The library's collections include over 4 million volumes, including books, journals, and other materials, with a strong focus on Latin American studies, African American studies, and environmental studies. The library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries and the Center for Research Libraries, and participates in the HathiTrust Digital Library and the Digital Public Library of America. The library's collections are also influenced by the research interests of the university's faculty, including David Duke, Scott Cowen, and Michael Bernstein, and the library has partnerships with other institutions, such as Louisiana State University Libraries, University of New Orleans Library, and Xavier University of Louisiana Library. The library's digital collections include the Tulane University Digital Library, which provides access to a wide range of digital materials, including e-books, e-journals, and digital archives, such as the Archives of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

● Facilities

The library's facilities include the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, which is the main library building, as well as several branch libraries, including the Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences and the Vera Cruz library. The library's facilities are designed to support the academic and research needs of the university community, with a range of study spaces, including quiet study areas, group study rooms, and collaborative workspaces. The library's facilities are also equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including computers, printers, and scanners, and the library offers a range of services, including interlibrary loan and document delivery, supported by OCLC and Ex Libris Group. The library's facilities are located in the heart of the Tulane University campus, near the Gibson Hall and the McAlister Auditorium.

● Services

The library offers a range of services to support the academic and research needs of the university community, including research assistance, instructional services, and technical support. The library's services are designed to support the university's academic programs, including undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and online programs, and the library has partnerships with other institutions, such as Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana. The library's services are also influenced by the research interests of the university's faculty, including David Duke, Scott Cowen, and Michael Bernstein, and the library has a strong commitment to information literacy and digital scholarship, supported by Association of College and Research Libraries and EDUCAUSE.

● Special Collections

The library's special collections include a range of rare and unique materials, including manuscripts, rare books, and archival materials. The library's special collections are particularly strong in the areas of Latin American studies, African American studies, and New Orleans history, with significant holdings related to William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Louis Armstrong. The library's special collections are housed in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, which is located in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, and the library offers a range of services to support the use of these materials, including research assistance and digitization services, supported by National Archives and Records Administration and Library of Congress. The library's special collections are also influenced by the research interests of the university's faculty, including David Duke, Scott Cowen, and Michael Bernstein, and the library has partnerships with other institutions, such as Louisiana State University Libraries, University of New Orleans Library, and Xavier University of Louisiana Library.