IU Libraries

09/02/2026

Tomorrow is First Thursdays! Two pieces of advice if you stop by: One, hydrate - it's going to be warm! Two, stop by the Indiana University Archives table and write a postcard home! They'll even supply the postage and mail it for you.

Hoosiers, First Thursdays are back on 9/3 at the Fine Arts Plaza from 4-7 PM! Be sure to find the University Archives table inside the IU Auditorium! We'll have some fun swag AND you can sit down and write out a postcard with an Archives image for friends and family. Leave it with us and we will mail it for you!

08/27/2026

Well HELLO to all of our new followers! We're thrilled you are here and hope you enjoy learning more about our work! Please be sure to sign up for our 3x yearly special collections newsletter, "We Saved This For You"! It includes short updates, exhibition announcements, and event info from repositories across the IU Libraries! https://libraries.indiana.edu/subscribe-wesaved

📸: Cheerleaders, 1943
Written on photograph: "In spite of the hardships incurred by the war the football spirit was kept alive on our campus due to the sincere efforts and hard work of these cheerleaders. Thomas and his gang did a swell job." Pictured, left to right: Lois Chitwood, Kay O. Feldt, Dallas Rayl, Kay White, Tom Thomas, Marion Blocher, and Kay Kimmel

08/24/2026

The best advice from President Herman B Wells himself, by way of the University Archives!

In 1946, then-IU President Herman B Wells told incoming students, "“If you (not the person next to you, but you) are friendly and considerate of others, you’ll be on a friendly campus.”

The same holds true today, Hoosiers. Lend a hand to a student finding their way, strike up a conversation with a classmate, and help create the welcoming community Wells envisioned. That's Hoosier Hospitality.

📸: Kate and Charles Smith at Kirkwood Observatory, circa 1908. From scrapbook of Floy Underwood, IU Archives P0078305

08/19/2026

With all the rain lately, there are surely weeds to be dealt with. Stop by tonight and help the Wylie House Museum with theirs! It's a great chance to meet new friends and dig into some good dirt.

Tonight at the Wylie House!
Join us for the first of three
✨Sparkling Summer W**d Nights✨!
Join us in the garden for some weeding and sparkling beverages. Bring your fav friend and your fav bottle (of water) from 6-8pm tonight.
🪏All tools provided. No gardening experience necessary!🪏

08/19/2026

Even if you saw this exhibition over the summer, it's bigger and better now. Stop by the Lilly Library and check it out!

The Declaration of Independence exhibition has been super-sized!

We are excited to present an expansion of The Declaration of Independence: The Motives the Moment, which has moved up to the North Gallery. Joining it in the South Gallery is The Signers, focusing on the signatories of the nation's founding document.

The Signers is an exhibition of letters and documents bearing the autographs of the fifty-six men who signed the August 2, 1776 handwritten copy of the Declaration. Though the length and content of these letters and documents vary widely, from brief notes or orders to long and detailed personal letters, they all offer insight into the daily lives, activities, and concerns of the signers.

Even if you've come by to see our rare original printing of the Declaration, The Signers along with the expanded The Motives, The Moment is sure to satisfy your hunger for history.

https://libraries.indiana.edu/lilly-library/the-signers

08/17/2026

It's move-in week, Hoosiers! Best of luck as you settle into your new Bloomington home and friendships! (Include the IU Libraries among those new friends - we are all here to help!)

📸: Photo by IU Professor Henry Thew Stephenson, circa 1918. IU Archives P0111548

08/17/2026

The Wells Library is open longer hours this week so you can stop by to grab a book, enjoy the air conditioning, meet up with friends, charge your phone, watch a movie, or just explore one of the largest libraries in the entire country!

AUGUST 17-23:
Monday-Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday: 1 - 5pm
Sunday: 11am - 8pm

Fall semester hours begin on Monday, August 24.

Hours for other libraries on campus: link in comments!

08/13/2026

In order to get our renovation done, unfortunately the Wells Library will have to be CLOSED Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16. We're sorry for any inconvenience! We look forward to seeing you next week. Meanwhile, our website is available for you 24/7 with lots of resources you can use from wherever you are.

08/10/2026

Celebrating the Slocum Collection, a pretty amazing collection of mechanical puzzles at The Lilly Library, Indiana University! If the problem-solving part of your brain has taken a summer vacation, a visit to this collection might be a great way to wake it up and get ready for the fall semester!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Slocum Collection of mechanical puzzles at the Lilly Library. On the occasion of his 95th birthday, and coinciding with the National Puzzler's League Convention, donor Jerry Slocum recently visited the Lilly Library. Read more below.

https://libraries.indiana.edu/20-years-slocum-puzzles-lilly-library