Directions:

Location:

Mary Church Terrell Main Library
148 W College St. Oberlin, OH 44074-1545

Parking:

The main visitor lot is the east Service Building lot, and the south row of the Carnegie Building lot for visitors to offices within that building.

Search Tools

Summon

Summon provides access to millions of sources of all types (books, articles, audio, videos, images, etc.) on nearly any subject. Summon searches many, but not all, Oberlin College Libraries resources; comprehensive research should include subject databases. It searches the full text of some, but not all, Oberlin books, including books that Oberlin only owns in print.

If you are looking for a specific book, film, or journal, use OBIS, our catalog. If you are looking for a specific journal article, use the Journal Finder. Summon also includes the collection of the Allen Memorial Art Museum as well as materials from other research centers and open access repositories.

Databases A-Z

The Databases A-Z list provides a complete alphabetical list of searchable databases accessible to you through the Oberlin College Libraries. The databases range from those that cover multiple subject areas, e.g. JSTOR or Web of Science, to more narrow research topics, e.g. SOCIndex.

They contain both citations and full text for ebooks, peer reviewed journals, newspapers, magazines, data sets, images, music, primary documents, and more. You will want to use them for finding credible and scholarly materials required for your college research.

If you are unsure which databases are best for your research topic try using the subject and type filters, consult a subject or course guide, Ask a Librarian, or make a research appointment.

OBIS Catalog

OBIS provides access to print and digital books, databases, audiovisual materials, journals, and course reserves. It is the best place to look up books, recordings, journals, and films by title to determine if you can access an item through Oberlin. To see if Oberlin has access to an individual article, use the journal list. OBIS makes it easier to search by subject heading than Summon does, but it does not index the full-text of any books.

In addition to books available at Oberlin through OBIS, patrons also have access to collections from a number of public, university, and college libraries in the state of Ohio through Oberlin College’s partnership with the OhioLink consortium and SearchOhio.

Journal Finder

The Journal Finder lists in one place every print and electronic journal, magazine, and newspaper available through both paid subscriptions and reputable open access platforms. Use the Journal Finder to see if Oberlin subscribes to these publications, to see if they're available online, or to compare coverage dates across databases or subscription services.

The Journal Finder will not allow you to search by article title to determine if Oberlin owns an item - you must search by publication title (e.g. Nature or The New York Times) and then navigate through the volume and issue and year provided by the citation. If you want to search by article title, search for the article from Summon.

WorldCat

WorldCat contains more than 43 million records describing books and other items owned by libraries around the world. You can search for popular books, music, CDs, and videos—all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries. You can also discover digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks. Use InterLibrary Loan to order materials that you locate on WorldCat.

Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall

The Digital Concert Hall provides access to the Berliner Philharmoniker's live performances and rebroadcasts as well as music-related documentaries and interviews. The site contains an archive of past performances.

Research Guides

Course Guides

Course Guides are organized collections of resources created for the research and information needs of students in specific courses. Research strategies and library services are also included.

Source Type Guides

Oberlin College librarians have identified the best platforms for finding resources by source type, including newspapers, magazines, dissertations and theses, books, music, primary sources, and more. Some guides also provide search tips and techniques.

Subject Guides

Research guides are the gateway to library collections and resources. Created and maintained by Oberlin College & Conservatory reference and subject librarians, Guides by Subject are organized by their relevant subject areas to provide a detailed list of recommended scholarly sources, including: databases; internet and digital resources; and the libraries’ collections of books, journals, magazines, music, art, DVDs, etc.

Guides also help you develop search strategies, cite sources and manage bibliographic references, and lead to a librarian who can provide further assistance. Subject guides are displayed alphabetically.

News

January 24, 2025

2025 Weidenthal Undergraduate Summer Internship

The Oberlin College Archives invites applicants for the position of Weidenthal Undergraduate Summer Intern for 2025. The internship provides an opportunity for an undergraduate student at any institution to learn about arrangement and description of collections, digitization, exhibit installation and outreach activities... Continue Reading

December 02, 2024

Scenes from Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd

A Ship Aground (1828), J.M.W. Turner To celebrate the exhibition Melville's Billy Budd at 100 currently on display in the Terrell Main Library's Special Collections and Archives until December 20, the Oberlin Conservatory's Opera department will be presenting Scenes from Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd on December 10. Be sure to... Continue Reading

Archival boxes on shelves, black and white photo.

January 29, 2024

Oberlin College Archives 2024 Weidenthal Undergraduate Summer Internship Applications are Open

The Oberlin College Archives are excited to receive applications for the 2024 Weidenthal Undergraduate Summer Internship. This internship is open to any undergraduate student at any college or university with at least one year of completed course work by the time the internship would commence. The applicant should be a... Continue Reading

Portrait of Frederick B. Artz, black and white photo.

December 07, 2023

2023 Frederick B. Artz Summer Research Grants Program Open for Applicants

Frederick B. Artz The Oberlin College Archives are excited to welcome applicants for the 2024 Frederick B. Artz Summer Research Grants Program. Established in 1990 in honor of former Oberlin College history professor Frederick B. Artz (OC 1916), this program provides an opportunity for qualified researchers to use the College... Continue Reading

Graduates in robes facing a crimson and gold tent, 1998 photograph taken from behind.

May 15, 2023

Oberlin College Archives Milestone Reunion Exhibits 2023

The Oberlin College Archives are excited to announce the annual milestone exhibits in celebration of the 50th reunion for the class of 1973 and the 25th reunion for the classes of 1996, 1997, and 1998. The exhibits will showcase a range of materials, including photographs, course catalogs, newspapers, yearbooks, and other... Continue Reading

Sammy Melman playing trombone in Tappan Square bandstand, band members playing guitar and drums.

April 14, 2023

Oberlin Folk Music and Cat in the Cream Collection at Archives

Folk music has a long history at Oberlin, beginning with Pete Seeger's performance in 1955. In 1972 he was the Commencement "speaker" who chose to sing a song rather than deliver a speech. The Oberlin Folk Music and Cat in the Cream and Coffeehouse Collection, covering 1955-2018, is now available for research, listening and... Continue Reading

Close-up of Pete Seeger performing, white flowers doodled in the empty space in the photo.

April 14, 2023

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?: Folk Music at Oberlin College

This three-part exhibit explores the history of Folk Music at Oberlin College through three individuals: Joe Hickerson '57, Pete Seeger, and Ed Freeman (1960-63). The exhibit venues are Terrell Library, 1st Floor Gallery; the College Archives; and the Conservatory Library. It is on display from now until June 16, 2023. Continue Reading

Black and white photo of archival boxes.

February 28, 2023

The Oberlin College Archives are hiring!

The Oberlin College Archives are excited to announce the 2023 Weidenthal Undergraduate Summer Internship.This internship is 10 weeks long and open to any undergraduate (not just Oberlin College students) as long as they have completed two semesters at their institution. The applicants should be pursuing a relevant degree like... Continue Reading

February 13, 2023

William Norris Papers Available for Research

The William P. Norris Papers are now available for research in the College Archives. Norris (1943-2014) was a sociology professor at Oberlin from 1978 to 2008. Beginning with his Peace Corps service with the poor in Bahia, Brazil, Norris was deeply engaged in social justice throughout his career. He pioneered teaching and... Continue Reading

February 02, 2023

Oberlin Heritage Center Strategic Planning Public Forums

Help OHC Make History! The Oberlin Heritage Center is starting to craft its next strategic plan and we want your help looking at our past, present, and future! We want to hear how OHC is (or is not) serving you and the community, what else we should try, what histories interest you, and what we can do better. All are welcome... Continue Reading

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Learn More About Our Libraries

Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall ? The Digital Concert Hall provides access to the Berliner Philharmoniker's live performances and rebroadcasts as well as music-related documentaries and interviews. The site contains an archive of past performances.

Course Guides ? Course Guides are organized collections of resources created for the research and information needs of students in specific courses. Research strategies and library services are also included.

Source Type Guides ? Oberlin College librarians have identified the best platforms for finding resources by source type, including newspapers, magazines, dissertations and theses, books, music, primary sources, and more. Some guides also provide search tips and techniques.

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Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall

The Digital Concert Hall provides access to the Berliner Philharmoniker's live performances and rebroadcasts as well as music-related documentaries and interviews. The site contains an archive of past performances.

Course Guides

Course Guides are organized collections of resources created for the research and information needs of students in specific courses. Research strategies and library services are also included.

Source Type Guides

Oberlin College librarians have identified the best platforms for finding resources by source type, including newspapers, magazines, dissertations and theses, books, music, primary sources, and more. Some guides also provide search tips and techniques.