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Libraries and Collections

Introduction

The libraries at Vassar serve as a central hub for the intellectual life of the campus. With over 1,000,000 volumes and vast online offerings, the libraries fuse rich collections with expert help, inspiring spaces, and facilities that support a wide range of activities, from quiet study to small group projects and collaborative work. Our collections range from books to videos to music to government documents to zines!

See also: Maps of the Libraries | Visiting the Libraries | Contact Us

Explore

The George Sherman Dickinson Music Library Treasure Room. This room contains many antique instruments for educational purposes.

George Sherman Dickinson Music Library

 The George Sherman Dickinson Music Library serves as a resource for the entire Vassar community providing books and periodicals on music, printed musical scores, sound and visual recordings and music-related research help.

Students gathered with an instructor to view a rare book in the Archives and Special Collections Library.

Archives and Special Collections Library

The Catherine Pelton Durrell ’25 Archives and Special Collections Library is the principal repository of the College's noteworthy collections of rare books, manuscripts, archival records of Vassar College, and other special materials. 

A view of the Van Ingen Art Library book shelves.

Van Ingen Art Library

The Vassar College Art Library is a rare example of a complete modernist interior from the pre-World War II period in the United States. It includes monographs, periodicals, scholarly annuals, exhibition catalogs, and other works related to the art and architectural history of Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

Zines montage

Zines collection

Zines are a DIY, self-published medium that include voices and narratives frequently absent from more traditional, for-profit, publishing venues. They are excellent primary source materials that reflect everyday lives, struggles, and triumphs.

Front of the Thompson Memorial Library at dusk.

Thompson Memorial Library

The Thompson Memorial Library ("Main Library") contains over one million volumes and 3,500 serial, periodical and newspaper titles, media, an extensive collection of microfilm and microfiche, zines, classrooms, and more.

An Act Incorporating Vassar College

Digital Library

Through our digital collections, we aim to provide access to high-quality digital content generated by the Libraries for research and study, as open as possible; as well as to support the teaching, learning, and research needs of the College.

Images of government documents,

Government Documents collection

Vassar's role as a federal depository began in 1943, and the libraries contain an extensive government documents collection.

What can I find here?

The Libraries are filled with books -- and more! We have:

We also have:

  • Charging stations in a variety of locations at the Main and Music Libraries
  • Self-care kits and lights in the Main Library Reading Room
  • Book / image scanners in the north end of the Main Library