Collections

University records are organized by their creating office, whether it is the office of the President or the History department.

The easiest way to find University records available for research is to use the A to Z: University Archives list. Entries on this list are arranged under the administrative unit, College/School, or academic department and are linked to finding aids. 

Special Collections features several different areas including Samuel Insull; Catholic organizations; Jesuit educators; entertainment arts; Loyola faculty and staff; political cartoons; satire and caricature; Edward Gorey; and government and politics.

Entries on the A to Z: Special Collections list link for finding aids for collections that are open for research.

University records and special collections span multiple subject areas. Entries on the Collections by Subject guide highlight some of the major subjects found in our collections. Most entries are linked to finding aids. 

The Rare Book Collection comprises approximately 21,000 volumes and is especially strong in the areas of Jesuitica, British and American History, 19th century British and American Literature, Religion and Theology, Philosophy, and Drama. There are over 15 languages in the collection. Named sections of the collection include the Edward Cudahy Jesuitica Collection, the Michalak Collection, the Mandell Collection, the St. Ignatius College Library Collection, and the Whittingham Chiswick Press Collection.

Digitization of items from the Rare Book Collection is an on-going project. More information on the Rare Book Collection can be found here, including links to our digital Rare Book Collection.

Oral history collections focus on Loyola University Chicago, Latinos in Chicago, Irish immigrants to Chicago, Chicago Public School teachers, and retired Cook County Circuit Court Judges. Not all interviews are transcribed and restrictions may apply to some interviews.

Digitization and transcription of oral histories is an on-going project. More information about our oral history collections is available here.

Photograph collections cover Loyola University Chicago campuses and people; Loyola Academy (when it was on the Lake Shore Campus); churches built or supported by the Catholic Church Extension Society; and ancient Greek and Roman sites.

Digitization of photograph collections is an on-going project. More information on the photograph collections can be found here.