It has often been said that a first-rate library is the foundation for a first-rate university. This is certainly the case at the University of Iowa. The University Libraries is a coordinated network of 11 individual libraries offering a wealth of informational and scholarly resources pertinent to the academic departments, institutes, programs, and services of the University. It is essential to the creation of a quality educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students and in the support of the quality research in all fields.
The Libraries is the largest library system in Iowa and ranks 14th among materials expenditures among U.S. public research libraries. The Libraries holds an extensive collection of research materials, reference services, maps, multimedia, government publications, electronic access to information resources, periodical indexes and abstracts, databases and more. These extensive collections are all readily accessible over the Internet and on-site in the Libraries via our web pages. Library personnel are available to assist with reference and other informational questions.
In partnership with the teaching faculty, the Libraries offers a variety of information literacy and course-related instructional programs designed to develop these critical skills in students in all disciplines. Our facilities offer expert consultation and state-of-the-art computer hardware and software to help students and faculty integrate new media technologies in their teaching, learning, and research.
The University Libraries is proud of its role as the foundation on which the University of Iowa’s academic and research programs rest.