The Trinity College Library & Collections
The Library is a repository of knowledge and the informational hub of campus. Students and faculty come together here for the serious work of scholarship and to collaborate with library and computing staff. Researchers pore over books and conduct investigations through our wide selection of online databases. Committed to the life of the mind and the major functions of teaching, learning and research, the library blends the latest information technologies with traditional books and media.
The collections of the Trinity College Library support teaching, study, and research in the disciplines represented in the Trinity College curriculum. The collections offer both historical depth in established fields of knowledge as well as current scholarship in new areas of research, and provide a wealth of information in formats ranging from traditional print collections to a variety of electronic and media resources.
The Main Library Collections
The print collections of the Trinity College Library have over one million volumes, including a reference collection of about 16,000 volumes, the circulating book collection in the main stacks, bound periodicals on level C, and the special collections of the Watkinson Library. These traditional print collections are augmented by the Trinity Online Resources (TOR), ranging from citation databases, full-text journals, electronic books, and primary source material, to digital images and music collections, all accessible from the Library homepage.
The Library is a selective depository for United States government publications. Most of the printed documents are housed on Level C. More government documents are available on-line or as part of the Library’s microform collections on Level A. The microform collections also contain newspaper and periodical back files as well as primary source collections for historical research.
Music and Media Collections
Video and sound recording collections are housed in and serviced from the Music and Media Center on Level 1. There are four group listening rooms, a seminar room, and a number of media carrels located in or near the Music and Media Center. All of these areas offer equipment designed for playback of the music and media resources. The collection consists of over 10,000 CD’s, 5,000 DVD’s and videos, and covers most areas of study on campus.
Image Collections & Services/Slide and Digital Image Collection
Located on Level A of the library, the Image Collections consists of a substantial collection of slides and digital images that support Trinity academic programs. Primarily illustrating the history of art and architecture, collection holdings span all time periods and geographic areas. These materials are a teaching collection for Trinity faculty.
Trinity College Archives & The Watkinson Library
The College Archives holds approximately 2,300 linear feet of documentary material related to Trinity. Established in 1972, the Archives are located in the Watkinson Library. Access to some materials is restricted for reasons of confidentiality and legality. Further information can be found on the Trinity College Archives web page.
The Watkinson Library, an endowed library of approximately 200,000 volumes consisting of rare books, manuscripts, and a number of special collections, is located on level A.
These collections have notable strengths in early printed books, book illustration and private press publications, voyages and travels, ornithology, and materials pertaining to U.S. social and cultural history in the nineteenth century. The Watkinson Library is served by three librarians and provides exceptional support for many courses. Indeed, some faculty members structure entire courses on the sources in the Watkinson Library.
The Watkinson is a closed stack library. Materials are non-circulating and must be used in the Watkinson reading room. The Watkinson Library has an extensive web page that provides more in-depth information on its collections.
Today's Hours
Saturday, 07-Nov-09