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Milner Library

Physical Collections

Highlighting Special Collections and Archives

Altered image of Cook Hall at Illinois State University merged with five other castle-style buildings from state universities

Campus lore and legend: Unveiling spirits and secret rooms at Illinois State University

Whispered in a marble stairwell or passed down the floors of a residence hall, campus tales seem to [...]
A digital reproduction of a photograph of the entrance of the Ringling & Barnum Bailey circus entrance with people walking in

Call for applications: 2026-27 Circus and Allied Arts Collection Fellowship

Milner Library has increased the fellowship award to $3,000 to support graduate students, faculty, [...]
Engraved head-and-shoulders portrait of P.T. Barnum

Barnum and Bailey souvenir programs join Milner Library’s online research collections

Earlier this year Milner Library's Digitization Center added 54 Barnum and Bailey Circus souvenir [...]
students use button press at Milner Library

Taking it back to 1976: Milner Library celebrates 50 years of community and scholarship

The summer of 1976 was a groovy time to be at Illinois State University. Fifty years later, [...]

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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