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

Collaged image of Clarence Ward magnets on blue background.

September 12, 2022

Art Library Tours: Come and Get Your Clarence Ward Magnet!

Visit the Clarence Ward Art Library! Make Mail Art! Join the Oberlin College Mail Art Network! And don't forget to get your free Clarence Ward magnet (Limit one per person). Check out a book and get a complimentary cowboy outfit for Clarence! When:Wednesday 9/14: 11am - NoonThursday 9/15: 10-11amFriday 9/16: 2:30 -... Continue Reading

Tables, chairs, and couches under windows for studying in the Science Library.

September 02, 2022

Orientation Tours in the Science Library

Orientation tours in the Science Library will be held on Monday and Tuesday, September 12-13. Get a quick introduction to the Science Library! Find a great study spot, learn how to find science journal articles, online and in print. Tours last 20 minutes and run continuously. Highly recommended for potential science... 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

Collage of OCL's marble Reading Girl statue wearing blue sneaker in front of the Ukrainian flag.

June 08, 2022

Oberlin College Libraries Support Ukrainian Journals

The invasion of Ukraine has impacted scientific activity and the production of knowledge there, with disruptions to the civilian infrastructure leaving the Ukrainian academic community struggling. Oberlin's Libraries are now part of an initiative to support Ukrainian scholars. We are proud to report that Oberlin's Libraries... 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

Woman pushing a cart of boxes in front of a light yellow background, cartoon illustration.

June 02, 2022

Pardon Our Mess... The Art Library Is Replacing Five Shelving Ranges

The Clarence Ward Art Library is replacing five ranges of shelving during the first full week of June. Work will begin Monday, June 6th and should be completed by Friday, June 10th. The Art Library will be open the entire week (9AM-noon; 1:00PM-4:30PM). Earplugs will be available upon request. 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

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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.

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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.