Art Library
Delve into a vast collection of over 160,000 books and journals on art, architecture, and design, including rare artists' books.
Distinctive and Special Collections
Explore our distinctive special collections, each offering unique resources to support your research, studies, and personal interests.
Access Digitized Rare Materials
Digital Collections
Northwestern University Libraries' Digital Collections provide online access to thousands of digitized items from across our vast holdings. Explore rare manuscripts, historical photographs, unique audio, and more.
Our Distinctive Collections
Government Information and Maps Collection
Navigate a comprehensive collection of U.S., Illinois, Chicago, and international documents, alongside over 200,000 maps and rare atlases.
Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies
Immerse yourself in a rich array of materials on Africa, featuring photographs, maps, videos, manuscripts, and unique collections.
Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives
Uncover Northwestern’s rarest materials, including manuscripts, archives, and university history, open for public research.
Music Collection
Explore one of the largest music collections in the U.S., specializing in 20th-century and contemporary classical music, with over 300,000 items.
Transportation Library
Engage with extensive collections on all transportation modes, supporting global research as a leading research center.