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.

News

Here are the latest news items from the Oberlin College Libraries. Also watch our social media channels for updates about our resources, services and programs.

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

Portrait of Christopher Jenkins against white background.

November 01, 2023

Assimilation v. Integration in Music Education

Christopher Jenkins Join us for a book talk with Christopher Jenkins, sponsored by the Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries!Christopher Jenkins is the Associate Dean for Academic Support, the Conservatory Liaison to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology. Chris is... Continue Reading

Shield with a blue fuzzy creature standing on its hind legs, illustrated.

October 24, 2023

Artz Lecturer Elizabeth Horodowich '92: Amerasia: Early Modern Imaginative Geography, 1492-1700

Ceremonial Aztec shield The Department of History presents Elizabeth A. Horodowich '92, Frederick B. Artz Lecturer Friday, October 27: Noon - 1:15PM in Craig Lecture Hall: Elizabeth Horodowich, Professor of History, New Mexico State will speak on Amerasia: Early Modern Imaginative Geography, 1492-1700 Saturday, October 28... Continue Reading

David Giffels portrait layered in front of an abstract background.

October 23, 2023

Master Class with David Giffels

Author David Giffels The master class with author David Giffels will be held on November 2, 2023, from 4:30-6:00 PM, Library Learning Lab, Terrell 113 (Mudd Center). Pizza will be provided. Me Me Me!: Crafting the Nonfiction Character of Yourself How does a writer approach the person they know best--their own self--to craft... Continue Reading

Four people operating the Vandercook press in the Letterpress Studio.

September 22, 2023

Book Studies Information Meeting

Interested in the Book Studies minor -- or just interested in Book Studies in general? Come to the Book Studies Information meeting on September 27 at 4:30 in Room 113 of Terrell Library (Mudd Center). Book Studies faculty will be on hand to answer questions and you will be the first to hear about some very cool book arts and... Continue Reading

The Oberlin Reader, a sculpture depicting a student sitting within a womb chair and reading.

September 12, 2023

Dedication of "The Oberlin Reader" in Contemplation Garden of Mudd Center

"Oberlin Reader" sculpture On Friday, September 29, we will dedicate the new “Oberlin Reader” sculpture commissioned by the Friends of the Libraries. Please join us on Friday, September 29 from 3:30-4:30 in the new Contemplation Garden under the ramp of the Mudd Center for the official dedication of the "Oberlin... Continue Reading

The short story dispenser, shaped like a podium, stationed next to the Reading Girl statue.

September 05, 2023

Short Story Dispenser in Terrell Library

The new Short Story Dispenser, located just outside Azariah's Cafe, next to the Reading Girl statue In the Oberlin Libraries, stories don’t just live on the shelves. Terrell Library now has a SHORT STORY DISPENSER right outside Azariah's Café! Choose a 1-minute or 3-minute quick read--or press the "Oberlin Shorts"... Continue Reading

A small garden with greenery and gravel paths, with a round table and four red chairs nearby.

August 29, 2023

New Library Contemplation Garden and Gathering Place

View of the new Contemplation Garden from the Mudd Center ramp Check out the new gathering area and Contemplation Garden under the ramp at Mudd Center. The Friends of the Library have collaborated with Campus Grounds Services to beautify the area with tables and a new sculpture by Nicholas Fairplay called "The Oberlin Reader."... Continue Reading

Students marching during commencement, some wearing lemon-yellow stoles with their graduation robes.

June 21, 2023

Metcalf Scholars

We “graduated” 39 Library Metcalf Scholars this year and were proud to see them march by at commencement in their Library Science lemon-yellow stoles. What is a Metcalf Scholar? Students who work in the libraries throughout their undergraduate career are honored with this distinction each year at a gala lunch just... Continue Reading

Various people dispersed throughout a room, observing displays on tables and shelves.

June 21, 2023

2023 Commencement Events and Spring Exhibits

The Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries reception (sundeck of the Terrell Main Library) and the College Archives open house were held on Saturday, May 20 with 55 guests attending the events. Archives reunion exhibition on view in the Goodrich Reading Room The Archives featured a reunion exhibit for the classes of 1973... Continue Reading

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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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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.