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

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

Professor Ross Karre stationed between and interacting with two displays set up on wooden boxes.

June 21, 2023

Friends Acquisitions Funds Make a Difference

Professor Ross Karre Each year, the Friends of Oberlin College Libraries contribute generously to our acquisitions fund, making it possible for the Libraries to buy special items for the collection and to support new resources such as streaming services. This year, the Friends went beyond one-off purchases to make significant... Continue Reading

Alison Ricker, Anne Salsich, and Megan Mitchell, individual portraits displayed left to right.

June 21, 2023

Three Retirements, Six Big Shoes to Fill

This summer brings with it the retirements of two extremely important librarians and an invaluable archivist in the Oberlin College Libraries system. Megan Mitchell, Alison Ricker, and Anne Salsich are beginning new chapters in life. From left to right: Alison Ricker, Anne Salsich, and Megan Mitchell In mid-July, we will say... Continue Reading

Marble statue of seated young woman, her head resting against her hand, red womb chairs in back.

June 01, 2023

Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Graduate Library School Scholarships for 2023

The Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries offer two scholarships for Oberlin graduates who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in librarianship or archives. Please see the descriptions below and the instructions on how to apply.2023 Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Graduate Library School Scholarship:The... Continue Reading

Orange square with white elephant head outline, left, and HathiTrust Digital Library text, right.

May 19, 2023

Oberlin Joins HathiTrust Digital Library

Launched in 2008, HathiTrust has a growing membership comprising more than two hundred libraries and holds the largest set of digitized books managed by the academic, research, and library community. Members have contributed more than 17.4 million volumes to the digital library, digitized from their library collections. More... 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

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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.