Repository:Louisiana State University Libraries

LSU's library collections contain, in total, more than 3,000,000 volumes, more than 4,000,000 microforms, more than 12,000,000 manuscripts, hundreds of electronic databases, and tens of thousands of electronic books and serials. LSU also was one of the founding members of the Louisiana Online University Information System (LOUIS) network which provides computer access to most academic library catalogs in the state.

Middleton Library houses the main library collections, including the U.S. Regional Depository Library (and has been a federal document depository since 1907).

The LSU Libraries Special Collections in Hill Memorial Library [located in the adjacent building which used to be the University's main library] provides a center for research in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. The primary strength of Special Collections resides in The Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, an outstanding integrated collection that consists of materials documenting the history and culture of the region. It provides rare and early imprints pertaining to the exploration and colonization of the region; books on Louisiana subjects; books by Louisiana authors; Louisiana state documents; extensive and prestigious manuscript collections, which include the personal papers of important individuals in the history of the region, including the Long family; records of business, professions, and organizations; and extensive photographic collections.

The University Archives, administered by Special Collections and housed in Hill Memorial Library, is the official repository for all permanent noncurrent records of academic and administrative units of the University. In addition, the University Archives is the office on campus charged with records management duties.

The T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History also is part of the Special Collections. The Center for Oral History was established in 1991 as an interdisciplinary program that supports and encourages the collection, preservation, and dissemination of the social, political, cultural, and economic history of Louisiana through the use of tape-recorded interviews. Tapes and transcripts generated by the program and its affiliated researchers are deposited in the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections.

LSU has been active in the United States Newspaper Program (USNP) since 1986. See the Louisiana Newspaper Project page for details on the University's extensive newspaper holdings.

With very limited exceptions, only students and faculty may check out materials, but anyone may carry out research in person at Middleton Library. Nearly all materials at Middleton are "open stacks." Because of security needs in the Archives and Special Collections, Hill Memorial Library has somewhat more stringent requirements for registration and use of materials. The "Ask a Librarian" page at the LSU Libraries website includes a FAQ and an email link for limited reference questions. Most circulating materials are available through the Inter-Library Loan System (contact your local library's ILL office).