Duke University Library is a prominent research library system that serves the academic community at Duke University, a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. The library system consists of several libraries, including the Perkins Library, Bostock Library, Lilly Library, and the Music Library, among others. With a rich history dating back to 1838, the Duke University Library has evolved to become one of the largest and most comprehensive library systems in the United States.
History and Development
The Duke University Library has a long and storied history that spans over 180 years. The library was founded in 1838, when Duke University was still known as Trinity College. Initially, the library consisted of a small collection of books and manuscripts, which were housed in a single room. Over the years, the library grew rapidly, with significant additions to its collections and facilities. In 1924, the library moved to its current location in the Perkins Library building, which was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Horace Trumbauer. Today, the Duke University Library is a state-of-the-art research library system that provides access to a vast array of print and digital resources, including over 6 million volumes, 25,000 journals, and numerous databases and digital collections.
Library Collections and Services
The Duke University Library is renowned for its extensive and diverse collections, which support the research and teaching needs of the university’s faculty and students. The library’s collections include a wide range of materials, such as books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, and digital media. Some of the notable collections include the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, which houses over 300,000 rare books and manuscripts, including the infamous Codex Gregorianus, a 9th-century manuscript that contains the earliest known copy of the Justinian Code. The library also provides a range of services, including research assistance, instruction, and digital scholarship support. The library’s Research Services department offers expert guidance and support for faculty and students, while the Instructional Services department provides teaching and learning support for courses across the university.
| Library Collection | Number of Items |
|---|---|
| Print Volumes | 6,000,000 |
| Journals | 25,000 |
| Manuscripts | 300,000 |
| Digital Collections | 100,000 |
Technology and Innovation
The Duke University Library is at the forefront of technological innovation, with a range of initiatives and services that support the research and teaching needs of the university’s faculty and students. The library’s Digital Scholarship Services department provides expert support for digital scholarship, including data management, digital pedagogy, and digital publishing. The library also offers a range of digital tools and platforms, including GitHub, Zenodo, and Figshare, which enable researchers to collaborate, share, and preserve their research data and outputs. Additionally, the library’s Makerspace provides a collaborative workspace for faculty and students to experiment with new technologies, including 3D printing, virtual reality, and data visualization.
Libraries and Learning Spaces
The Duke University Library system consists of several libraries and learning spaces, each with its own unique character and purpose. The Perkins Library is the main library building, which houses the majority of the library’s collections and provides a range of study spaces and services. The Bostock Library is a state-of-the-art library building that serves the needs of the university’s engineering and science communities. The Lilly Library is a renowned rare book library that houses over 150,000 rare books and manuscripts. The library also offers a range of other learning spaces, including the Link, a collaborative learning space that provides access to a range of digital tools and platforms.
- Perkins Library
- Bostock Library
- Lilly Library
- Music Library
- Link
What are the library’s hours of operation?
+The library’s hours of operation vary depending on the location and time of year. The Perkins Library is open 24⁄7 during the academic year, while the Bostock Library is open from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm, Friday to Sunday.
How do I access the library’s digital collections?
+The library’s digital collections are available through the library’s website, which can be accessed using your Duke University login credentials. You can also access the library’s digital collections through the library’s discovery layer, which provides a single search interface for all of the library’s collections and resources.
