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Milner Library

Physical Collections

Highlighting Special Collections and Archives

A book spread with a watercolor painting showing a raccoon, an opossum, and a skunk carrying sticks with cloth sacks tied to the ends walking down a hill. The animals seem to be glancing at the reader and raising a hand in a wave.

Communications between and beyond the pages

The Will Johnson Collection of children’s literature showcases an important aspect of a collector’s [...]
A group of students/alumni wearing red Chi Omega jackets pose with Reggie Redbird.

This month in Illinois State University history: November

From a historic concert at Horton Field House, to a key game in the Redbirds’ longest football [...]
Detail of a watercolor painting of woman wearing a blue hat and white dress with long blue vest and white gloves. The hat has a feather, the dress has a high collar, and the figure wears a large pendant on a gold chain.

Historical costume ideas in watercolor studies by Charles Bianchini

Art, research practice, and historical dress are brought together in a series of watercolor studies [...]
Detail of a book cover illustration by Maxfield Parrish that shows two identical chefs standing on either side of a large metal storage vessel atop a counter. Each of the chefs leans forward toward the other with an identical expression of concern or surprise. They wear the same tunics and chef hats, with the exception of the underlayers of sleeves and tights, which are orange on one chef and blue on the other. Each figure holds an identical giant spoon behind their back.

‘Knave of hearts’: A brilliant book illustrated by Maxfield Parrish

The Knave of Hearts is a one-act play written by Louise Saunders and illustrated by Maxfield [...]

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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