Libraries

Colby College Libraries advance the College’s mission by providing expert guidance, diverse and expansive resources, and inclusive spaces necessary to cultivate critical thinking and community-minded citizens.

Highlights of Colby College Libraries

Miller Library houses the humanities and social science collections, as well as Special Collections and Archives. The lowest level of Miller, known as “The Street,” features individual and group study spaces and is open 24 hours daily. The Farnham Writers’ Center is housed on the second floor of Miller Library, and Academic Testing is available on the third floor.

Bixler Art and Music Library features an extensive collection of art and music books, journals, sound recordings, and music scores, alongside an art gallery and a digital media lab.

Additional materials for all disciplines, including physical items in the natural and physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics, are available from the Annex Storage Facility. These items can be requested through the library catalog and are delivered to Miller Library Monday through Friday.

Our membership in the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBB) Consortium allows the Libraries to quickly share collections and resources across partner institutions.

Collections and Resources

The Libraries provide access to more than 1.7 million items, including a wide-ranging collection of print and eBook monographs, hundreds of popular and authoritative databases, and thousands of print and electronic periodicals and newspapers.

Through the Course Reserves program, available at the Library Service Desk, students can easily access required course texts and materials. Additionally, the unique scholarly and creative work of the College is preserved and available on Digital Commons @ Colby, while digital collections of archival material are accessible via JSTOR.

Expert Support and Services

Colby College Libraries offer extensive services led by highly skilled, knowledgeable staff who provide expert support for research and scholarship. Dedicated library liaisons are paired with every discipline taught at Colby. These specialist librarians partner with faculty to offer customized course instruction, subject-specific library guides, and work directly with students through individual consultations, providing support at every stage of the research process.

The library website serves as a central hub, allowing users to discover and access the majority of services and content curated by the Libraries. Physical locations provide versatile environments for both quiet study and collaborative work, equipped with computers, printers, photocopiers, and scanners. Additionally, loaner laptops and chargers are available for checkout at the Miller Library Service Desk.

Special Collections and Archives

Housed in Miller Library, Special Collections and Archives supports a robust archives education program. This initiative connects hundreds of students each academic year with rich archival collections and rare books, promoting innovative teaching through primary sources. Within this department, the Alfred King Chapman Room houses the College Archives, which comprehensively document Colby’s development over its more than 200-year history.

Detailed information about collections, services, and hours is provided at libraries.colby.edu.