The Literatures and Languages Library covers the languages and literatures of North and South America (in conjunction with the International and Area Studies Library), Western Europe, and English-, French-, Greek, and Portuguese-speaking countries worldwide as well as linguistics, cinema studies, and translation studies from Classical Antiquity to the present. The unit houses the Classics Library Collection, which is dedicated to the languages, literatures, and cultures of Classical Antiquity. The Library acquires print and electronic materials in these disciplinary areas; offers reference and research assistance in person, via email, and through online tools; provides individual and group instruction; and engages in outreach to the campus and local community. The unit is the primary library for the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics and the Department of English. Our mission is to provide library materials and services to the UIUC campus and local community for research and study in our subjects.
The Literatures and Languages Library is located in the Reading Room (200) of the Main Library. The Reading Room features a circulation desk, 40 long tables for studying, two exhibit cases, and Renaissance printers’ trademarks in the windows. Room 225 houses the Classics Library Collection and features small tables for studying and Classical busts. Both spaces are for quiet study only.
The Literatures and Languages Library boasts rich and deep collections in print and electronic format. Core collections for modern literature, cinema studies, linguistics, and translation studies are along the walls and free-standing shelves in the south end of the Reading Room. Recent additions are located on the New Books shelves on the west wall by the main entrance. The reference collection is in the north end; print journals are in the south end. Core collections for Classical Studies are in room 225 . The reference collection is at the west end. The circulating collection is at the east end. New books and print journals are located between 225G and 225I. The bulk of the Literatures and Languages Library’s holdings are in the Main Stacks or Oak Street Library Facility.