Hesburgh Libraries

The Hesburgh Libraries is a diverse system featuring a main library that houses specialty libraries and three branch libraries located throughout the Notre Dame campus. In an effort to further its core mission the Libraries offer a vast array of expertise, services, resources and spaces to ensure the academic success of the student community. Whether through the expertise of subject librarians and specialty services or the access to various sources of knowledge, we continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of Notre Dame students in the 21st century.

We often hear students say, “If only I had known sooner how much help I could get from the Libraries…my job as a student would have been much easier!” Subject Librarians offer research assistance in all academic disciplines and are available face-to-face, by email, phone and chat. Check out our website at library.nd.edu for a list of subject specialists, resource guides and special programs to help focus your efforts and develop your research skills.

During a typical academic year, the Hesburgh Library is open nearly every day, with 24-hour access 5 days per week. For more information about the services, spaces and collections at the Hesburgh Libraries visit library.nd.edu.

Main Library

The iconic Theodore M. Hesburgh Library opened in 1963 as “Memorial Library” and was one of the largest collegiate libraries of its day. Home to many core services and resources as well as reference and subject librarians, the Hesburgh Library continues to serve as the flagship building of the Hesburgh Libraries system here at Notre Dame. In addition to the general research collections on open stacks, three specialty Libraries and Centers reside within the Hesburgh Library building:

Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-6679
library.nd.edu

Medieval Institute Library
7th Floor, Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-5724
library.nd.edu/medieval

Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship
2nd Floor NE, Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-4900
cds.library.nd.edu

Rare Books and Special Collections
102 Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-0290
rarebooks.library.nd.edu

University Archives
607 Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-6448
archives.nd.edu

Branch Libraries

Library services have expanded beyond the building adorned with the Word of Life mural to include three branch libraries:

Architecture Library
150 Walsh Family Hall of Architecture
(574) 631-6654
library.nd.edu/architecture

Mahaffey Business Library
L001 Mendoza College of Business
(574) 631-9098
library.nd.edu/business

Music Library
310 O’Neill Hall 
(574) 631-8686 
library.nd.edu/music

Subject Librarians

More than 50 Subject Librarians and liasons provide invaluable expertise and support services for the teaching, research and scholarship initiatives of the University community, library.nd.edu/subjects. Services offered by Subject Librarians include research consultations, materials purchase requests, and library instruction. They are responsible for collection development and management in one or more subject areas, including selection, communication with subject department faculty, de-selection, and preservation. Subject Librarians are also your liaison to specialty research services within the Hesburgh Libraries and throughout the campus community. Begin your student career at Notre Dame by initiating and building a relationship with your Subject Librarian as soon as possible. You can connect face-to-face, by email, phone or chat.

Information Literacy Foundations

The Hesburgh Libraries has exceptional librarians dedicated to helping first-year students learn more about what it means for a college student to practice and apply information literacy skills and strategies. Information literacy is knowing how to: access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically and competently, and use information appropriately for different purposes in a variety of contexts. Ultimately, this first year training helps students succeed in their academic work and in the world beyond Notre Dame.

Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship

The Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (NFCDS) is located in Hesburgh Library’s northeast corner on the 2nd floor. The NFCDS leverages stateof-the-art technologies, enabling students and faculty to explore new methodologies, analyze complex data and share research results in ways never before possible. The Center is nimble, capable of rapidly adopting new technologies as they emerge—transforming how teaching, research and scholarship are performed here at Notre Dame.

With partnerships campus-wide, the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship serves as a hub that enhances the teaching, learning, and research process in every academic discipline. The NFCDS empowers and equips our next generation of scientists and scholars to accelerate their research process, create new knowledge in a digital environment, and make a more profound impact in the world.

NFCDS Expertise

The Center offers cross-disciplinary library expertise, including a Data Analysis Librarian, Digital Humanities Librarian, and a Digital Initiatives Librarian. Subject Librarians are also important contributors to and conduits for the Center’s impact. To meet specialty needs, The Center has developed partnerships with various campus research providers, such as the Center for Research Computing, the Center for Creative Computing, and the Office of Research. Our structure ensures that areas of expertise will evolve to meet the changing demands of our University community for research and scholarship in the 21st century.

NFCDS Services

Current services include GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Consultation, Data Usage and Analysis, Text Mining and Analysis, Research Data Services, Metadata Services, Copyright Services, 3D and Large Format Printing, and Referral Services. Workshops and introductory topic sessions will be available on a regular and recurring basis, or by request.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a complimentary service for ND students that procures from other libraries research materials not available in the University’s collection. Delivery of electronic materials is provided through your ILL account interface—be sure to take time to create your Interlibrary Loan account to ensure service when you need it.

Document Delivery

Document Delivery is a service that can be used to retrieve materials from any of our collection locations for delivery to your preferred library location for pickup at service desks at any of the above locations. Articles are delivered via email unless you indicate a preference for paper copies; paper copies are delivered to the service desk of your choice within the Hesburgh Libraries system.

Senior Thesis and Capstone Camp

Thesis Research and Writing Camps are designed to provide structured and supported time for you to focus on your research output. The camps are 5-day events offered during fall midterm break. Meals are provided to allow your time and attention to be focused upon learning new research and writing techniques, applying time management tips, meeting members of your student community, exchanging ideas, and building your community beyond your own discipline.

University of Notre Dame Library Research Award

The award honors undergraduate students at every level who demonstrate excellent research skills and who incorporate library services, resources and expertise into their scholarly works and creative projects. There are different levels and cash awards. For more information on how to apply and tips for submissions at library.nd.edu/library-research-award.

Writing Center Consultations

The Libraries feature an on-site partnership with the Writing Center. The Writing Center has evening hours within the Hesburgh Library Sunday–Thursday during the regular academic year.

Additional Services

In the Libraries we provide access to overhead and flatbed document scanning; ask-a-librarian online, email and chat services; remote access to research materials such as electronic books, journals and databases.