Amherst College Library

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Amherst, MA
Amherst College Library

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Research help, archives & special collections, science & music libraries, digital resources, ILL, a Robert Frost Library is the main library on campus.

Frost houses collections in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, as well as general interest science materials, including books in computer science. Books, CD-ROMs, and bound periodicals are intermingled, and shelved on the top 2 and lower 3 floors of the library. Each floor also has special materials. Current periodicals and reference materials are on the 1st floor. Current newspapers, microfilm, and microfiche are on the 2nd floor. DVDs and videos are on A-level. Maps are on B-level. Government documents and the Dewey book collection are on C-level. Check the floor plans or ask a staff member for more details. Archives & Special Collections, on A-level, hold rare books, collections of special interest, and materials about the history of the college. Online resources, such as databases, e-books, and e-journals, are also available. Amherst College faculty, staff, and students can get off-campus access to these resources or use them in the library. In most cases, the general public can use these materials in the library on a walk-in basis. Located in the Science Center, Keefe Science Library provides access to course reserves for STEM courses. The Vincent Morgan Music Library, located on the second floor of the Music Building, contains books, journals, scores, and recordings. The Library also has listening equipment for records, cassettes and compact discs. The Music Building does not have an elevator. Library staff members are always willing to page material to be used in the accessible Frost Library. Hours listed on our page are for Frost Library. To check the hours of all the libraries, visit our hours page: https://www.amherst.edu/library/hours

10/07/2026

What makes a book controversial? And who gets to decide what we can read?

This Banned Books Week, explore these books that have been challenged or restricted at different times and places. From stories about identity and race to works exploring gender, sexuality, politics, and religion, these books have sparked debates far beyond their pages.

Their stories don’t end with a challenge. In fact, the history surrounding a book can tell us just as much about a society as the book itself—revealing what communities fear, value, and debate.

So take a closer look at the book display next to the entrance of Frost Library. Read a book you’ve never encountered before, revisit an old favorite, and make up your own mind. Some selected works are also available as ebooks, which you can find at the link in our bio.

09/23/2026

This week is the .museum Tell It Slant Poetry Festival! Tomorrow, the library will be co-hosting Part 4 of the Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon at 12pm. Make sure to register for this program in advance at the link in our bio!

09/08/2026

So many events, so much talking! Why not close out Mammoth Week with some companionable quiet at the library's Quiet Reading Party!?

To participate, all you need to do is find a spot on the quad and read. We'll have books available to check out from our book bike, snacks & sweets, records from the Music Library, and fun giveaways. Students, staff, and faculty are welcome welcome!

This Friday, 9/11 from 3-5PM
Main Quad (rain location is 1st floor of Frost)

09/04/2026

Whew, what a first week of classes! It's been great seeing our community back in Frost.

Have you wondered about the new exhibit in the center of our 1st floor?

This exhibit contains a newly processed collection of material donated by Robert Ellenport (Class of 1971) that Ayanna Bigger '29 worked on during summer 2026.

During Robert Ellenport’s time at Amherst College he was part of the College Council, a joint student-faculty administration committee. This faculty discussed topics such as coeducation, off campus housing, and the class pass-fail option.

Ellenport was also involved in protests against the Vietnam War and the New Haven Black Panther Party trials. These major political events led to three moratoriums at Amherst College in spring of 1969. Students organized and spread word of protests on and off campus during this time.

The material displayed is a mix of student-made posters and objects, as well as material that was published and widely distributed from 1969 to 1970.

Stop by

08/28/2026

It's been a busy week with new student orientation, and we've had so much fun welcoming students into the library!

We are closing today and 5:00, and we'll reopen on Monday at 8:00 AM. Tuesday is the first day of classes and we'll resume our regular semester hours then! You can find all of our hours at the link in our bio.

08/20/2026

As pre-orientation begins, we are so happy to see so many new and familiar faces on campus! Stop by Frost to take a break and say hello. We can’t wait to see you!

07/06/2026

The library is delighted to announce the addition of one of our most interesting and underused collections to Amherst College Digital Collections: the Katrin Janecke Gibney Papers!

Written for her American boyfriend while she worked inside the N**i Propaganda Ministry, Katrin Janecke Gibney’s journals—now available online—offer a portrait of daily life for a young woman in wartime Berlin.

Learn more and view transcripts of the diaries in our Archives’ Consecrated Eminence blog post, “An Anti-N**i Woman in the Propaganda Ministry: The Katrin Janecke Diaries (1941-1945)" (linked in bio)

06/18/2026

As we settle into summer and the pace slows down on campus, we have the perfect analog vibe for your downtime: portable record players! Stop by the Music Library to explore the vinyl collection and start listening. You can visit the link in our bio to view the availability of our record players, or just drop by and ask us. The Music Library is open today from 1-4 PM!

01/25/2026

Due to the coming storm, the library (Frost, Science, & Music) will be closed on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26. We'll see you on Tuesday!

01/23/2026

The library will close today at 5pm as planned, we are closed tomorrow, and our hours on Sunday have changed due to the forecast. Keep an eye on our website to learn of any other changes!

We hope everyone returning to campus has a safe trip, and we'll see you soon! ❄️

Address

61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst, MA
01002

Website

https://www.amherst.edu/library

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