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Milner Library

Physical Collections

Highlighting Special Collections and Archives

Five students sit together in a 1960s residence hall room.

This month in Illinois State University history: July

From the first day of the University’s 16th president to the impact of a historic heatwave on [...]
Small book with the fore edge facing forward sitting on a cart in front of book shelves in a library storage area.

The cure-alls and culinary delights of a countess

A Choice Manuall is a remarkable little volume of medicinal and culinary recipes that is a bit of [...]
A group of people walking in a group. One is wearing a rainbow shirt and holding a bluetooth speaker. Another is holding a sign with the trans pride flag that says "Fight today for a better tomorrow." Another is wrapped in the nonbinary flag.

Radical roots and enduring activism: Milestones in LGBTQIA+ history at Illinois State University

This timeline traces the evolving landscape of queer presence, activism, and institutional change [...]
Karmine Beecroft stands among shelves of University Archives boxes while holding a large book titled "ISU Pride."

Preserving Pride: Oral histories project documents history of Illinois State’s LGBTQIA+ community

Illinois State University, home to one of the first queer college organizations in the country, has [...]

Browse the Collections

General collections are shelved on floors 2-6 of Milner Library. Consult the catalog and floor maps or ask us for help locating physical items.

Physical Collections

  • Stuffed animals.

    Teaching Materials Center

    Pre-K-12 materials, including picture books, YA novels, leveled readers, and teacher edition textbooks.

  • Books on a table.

    Government Information

    Up-to-date and historical federal and state information reflecting all aspects of government activity.

  • Maps and atlases drawing

    Maps and Atlases

    200,000 printed maps and cartographic materials with a major emphasis on Illinois and the Midwest.

  • Students browsing the DVD Collection

    Multimedia Center DVD & VHS Collection

    Broad range of educational films, documentaries, feature films, and performances in music, dance, and theater.

  • Piece of an old book.

    Special Collections

    The Special Collections Department at Milner Library holds rare books and archival materials.

  • Sword artifact

    Dr. Jo Ann Rayfield Archives

    The Dr. Jo Ann Rayfield Archives is the official repository for selected materials that document the history of the university.

  • Books on a shelf.

    Browsing Books Collection

    Recently published and/or bestseller fiction and nonfiction books.

More to Explore

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