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.

OhioLINK Catalog

A virtual statewide library that displays information for items owned by OhioLINK libraries, a consortium of over 100 college, university, and research libraries in Ohio. Items described include books, journals and periodicals, audiovisual materials, sound recordings, electronic resources, government documents, archives and manuscripts, maps, and music scores.

The catalog provides bibliographic descriptions and indicates where copies are located and whether or not copies are available. The OhioLINK Central Catalog allows for delivery of requested items to a member library of your choice. Terrell Main Library is Oberlin’s pickup location for OhioLINK items. OhioLINK's design allows you to transfer a search from our local library catalog, OBIS, to the OhioLINK combined catalog with the touch of a button. Likewise, a search can just as easily transfer from OhioLINK or OBIS to the public library network Search Ohio.

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.

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.

Policies

Policies unique to the Clarence Ward Art Library. For general Oberlin College Libraries and Terrell policies see Policies and Guidelines.

Art Library Instruction Space

Available for group instruction, lectures, or presentations; reservations required. When not reserved, used for quiet-study. May not be reserved for group study, for recurring events, or by anyone not affiliated with Oberlin College.

Reservations:

The Art Library may reserve for student/faculty instruction at any time.

Others may reserve up to 14 days in advance:

First priority given to requests from the Art Dept. or the Allen Memorial Art Museum
Second priority given to groups of six or more that need to use available equipment

To request a reservation, email art.library@oberlin.edu with the date/times requested, event description, and expected attendance.

Accessibility

The Oberlin College Libraries staff is committed to assisting all library users in finding information, developing strategies for effective research, and learning how to use the library and its resources. Library staff will attempt to accommodate the needs of users with disabilities. Requests for assistance are confidential.

A member of the Main Library Reference & Instruction Department is a liaison to Disability Resources in the Center for Student Success. Contact the Reference & Instruction Department at reference@oberlin.edu, or call 440-775-5031 with questions or requests assistance in any of the libraries.

Clarence Ward Art Library Accessibility Services are listed below. For a complete list of services offered by the Oberlin College Libraries see the Mary Church Terrell Main Library's Accessibility page.

Art Library elevator access

The Art Library is not fully accessible without special assistance. Patrons needing elevator access to the Art Library may call Art Library staff at (440) 775-8635 for assistance. A telephone is located beside the elevator on the main floor of the Venturi Art Building.

Item Retrieval

Users unable to retrieve their own materials from the stacks are encouraged to ask for assistance from library staff. They may also use the “Request Item” feature in OBIS; the books will be retrieved and available on the Art Library Hold Shelf (behind the Circulation Desk).

Reserve materials

Readers from the Center for Student Success may arrange for extended loan periods for reserve materials.

Non-circulating materials

Special support for using our “Library Use Only” materials is handled by permanent staff on a case by case basis. Please contact us as soon as a need becomes apparent.

Returning materials

If you are unable to return reserve or recalled materials, please make other arrangements (e.g. ask a friend or your RA to return the materials). If this is not possible, please contact us as soon as possible.

Research appointment or One-on-one orientations

Schedule an individual research appointment for research assistance, or for an orientation to the Library and its resources.

Food and Drink

No food is allowed in the library, and drinks are only allowed in containers with lids. Note that the policy reads "no food" rather than "no eating" - we really don't want any food at all in the library. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Reasons behind the policy:

To create an environment of mutual respect and to promote learning.
To preserve our library collections and protect our facility from pests and harmful molds.
To help to ensure the health and safety of all library users and a long life for library collections, furnishings, and equipment.
To promote recycling of appropriate food and drink packaging.
To respect our hard-working custodial staff by taking responsibility for our personal behavior.
To continue to direct library funds to purchasing library resources that support the curriculum, rather than to replacing materials, furnishings, and equipment damaged by food and drink.

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Terrell Main Library Floor Plans

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Mary Church Terrell Main Library

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Learn More About Our Libraries

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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