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: Oberlin College Archives

Frederick B. Artz in front of bookshelves with open book on desk, black and white photo.

January 04, 2023

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

The Oberlin College Archives are excited to welcome applicants for the 2023 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 researchers to use the archives and special collections for... Continue Reading

Various books on display on a library bookshelf.

November 07, 2022

Monthly Library Tours

Do you have questions about the library? Have you ever wondered where the best study spots are, or why the books are arranged like that? All four library branches, Archives and Special Collections, are now offering monthly tours to answer your questions. Terrell Main Library (Mudd Center), 2nd Tuesdays @ 12:30 Clarence Ward... Continue Reading

Open blue book with pink heart across the page spread on a yellow background.

September 01, 2022

LOL = Love Oberlin Libraries

What do you love about the Oberlin College Libraries? We want to know! Help us spread the word about why OCL is so important to Oberlin. Snap a selfie in a womb chair (or anywhere else) and tell us why you love the Libraries! We will be sharing your responses via social media and posters around campus. If you'd like to... Continue Reading

August 29, 2022

The Oberlin College Archives are Hiring!

Are you a current or recent graduate student in library science, archival studies, or history? Just starting out in your archival career? Our Archives and Special Collections Intern position may be the perfect opportunity for you!You must have a Masters degree or have a substantial amount of coursework towards your Masters... Continue Reading

Reverend Betty Howard singing in front of Underground Railroad monument with trees in background.

June 19, 2022

Oberlin and Juneteenth

Celebrations supporting the rights of black people have been central to the Oberlin community since its founding. In January 1849, the Black Laws of 1807 discouraging the migration of black people to Ohio were largely repealed. These laws included requiring black people to have proof that they were indeed free and needed two... Continue Reading

Red, orange, and yellow cushion pit with dark blue floor seen from above.

June 03, 2022

2022 Virginia Proctor Powell Florence Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Scholarship

The Virginia Proctor Powell Florence Class of 1919 Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Graduate Library School Scholarship was established in 2019 for Oberlin graduates who are people of color and are interested in pursuing graduate studies in librarianship or archives. The scholarship recipient is selected by a committee... Continue Reading

Red womb chairs facing out of large windows, stationed next to a plant.

May 31, 2022

Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Graduate Library School Scholarship 2022

The Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries provide a graduate library school scholarship awarded to an Oberlin College graduate who has been accepted at an accredited school of library and information science. The scholarship recipient is selected by a committee composed of members of the Friends of the Libraries... Continue Reading

May 24, 2022

Celebrating Our 2022 Graduating Student Employees

Above image: Wood engraving of Keyes D. Metcalf by Eric May The end of the spring semester is approaching, which sadly means we will soon have to say goodbye to our graduating student employees. The support these hard-working students provide helps us maintain our outstanding services for the Oberlin Community. Today we will... Continue Reading

Exterior view of the Conservatory with windows looking into rooms with lights on and a pond outside.

April 15, 2022

Library Tours

Have questions about the library? Feel like you don't understand our services or collections? Take a library tour, offered monthly at each branch (Terrell, Art, Conservatory, Science, Archives & Special Collections. Register Continue Reading

Archival storage boxes on shelf, black and white photo.

March 15, 2022

The Oberlin College Archives are Hiring!

The Oberlin College Archives are excited to announce the opening of the 2022 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... Continue Reading

1 2 3

You’ve just added:

Item

Subtotal:

Today’s Hours:

Terrell Main Library

Terrell Fourth Floor

Circulation Desk

Research Help Desk

Terrell Research Help Desk (Semester Evening)

Libraries Administrative Office

Azariah's Cafe

Directions:

Location:

Terrell Main Library Floor Plans

Other Libraries Hours & Directions

Mary Church Terrell Main Library

Terrell Special Collections

Clarence Ward Art Library

Conservatory Library

Science Library

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.

Need Help?

Need Help?

News: Oberlin College Archives

Make a Research Appointment

FAQ

Borrow Equipment & Technology

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.