Inside the Library

Knox College has three distinct libraries: Seymour Library, Science & Math Center Library, and the Center for Fine Arts Library. The Knox College Library is a member of the Alliance Library System and a governing member of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) and is an active participant in interlibrary loan programs serving public, school, and academic libraries throughout Illinois.The Knox College Library is also a member of the Center for Research Libraries.

Seymour Library

Seymour Library is Knox College's main library, housing books and journals for the humanities and social sciences as well as the collections in the Special Collections and Archives department. The building's interesting and unique spaces and quiet study rooms are rich in history and provide students with a study atmosphere steeped in the academic tradition. Read online articles about the history of Seymour Library and about the history of library collections at Knox before Seymour Library was built. Most of the library staff offices are located in Seymour Library.

Borrowed materials may be returned via the bookdrop behind Seymour Library on the south end when the library is closed.

View floor plans of Seymour Library to find out where the library's collections are located.

The Science & Math Center (SMC) Library

Remodeled in 1992 with support from the Estate of Ward L. Stephens and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Kresge Science-Mathematics Library, located in the Umbeck Center, houses the scientific and technical collections of the College. The SMC Library's collections include books, including reference books, and journals covering the natural sciences, mathematics and psychology; it also provides access to reserve readings and has quiet study facilities.

Borrowed materials may be returned via the bookdrop in the Science Library door when the library is closed.

The Center for Fine Arts Music Library

The Center for the Fine Arts Music Library is in room 226 of the Ford Center for the Fine Arts. Its collections include compact discs, vinyl record albums, printed music scores, and a core reference collection. Books, periodicals, and additional reference materials on music are located in Seymour Library. Recordings required for music classes are held on reserve in the CFA Library; recordings of works to be performed by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony are routinely placed on reserve in advance of each concert.

The recorded music collection consists primarily of classical music, jazz, and world music. Compact discs are included in the library's catalog. Listening equipment for all types of audio formats is available in the CFA Library. Recordings must be used in the library; they may not be borrowed.