About the Archives and Rare Books Library

The Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB) holds and preserves materials in five collecting areas: the University's Rare Books and Manuscripts, University Archives, Local Government Records, the Urban Studies collection, and the German-Americana collection. The Archives and Rare Books Library is located on the 8th floor of Blegen Library on the University of Cincinnati's uptown campus.

ARB serves the University of Cincinnati faculty, students, and staff along with researchers and members of the general public from around the world by providing access to collections in-house and via reproduction services. ARB collaborates with the Univeristy of Cincinnati Libraries' Digital Initiatives Team to facilitate the creation, curation, and maintenance of digital collections and exhibitions. ARB faculty and staff also teach and co-teach with faculty from a variety of disciplines using archival, manuscript, and rare book collections to provide bibliographic and primary source instruction.

ARB's collections date from Before Common Era holdings such as cuneiform tablets and papyrus fragments to recent university records and contemporary novels and zines. Over 2000 archival collections, totaling 16,000+ linear feet, include personal papers of individuals and families, as well as records of organizations, businesses, churches, and schools. These collections also include approximately 90 GB of born-digital and electronic records. ARB's rare books and manuscripts holdings include approximately 58,000 volumes and documents. 

The majority of ARB's holdings are housed in Blegen Library, while others are housed at offsite storage facilities. Offsite materials must be retrieved prior to use by researchers. Details about ARB's collecting areas can be found on the Collections page.

Explore ARB's Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about our policies. Questions about our collections can be directed to our staff or by emailing us.