Lovejoy Library

Lovejoy Library is an academic library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville housing over 800,000 books, millions of microfilm units, and extensive periodical collections across multiple floors. The facility contains diverse study areas and specialized archives designed to support different research needs.

Founded in 1965, the library honors Elijah Parish Lovejoy, a Presbyterian minister and journalist killed in Alton in 1837 for his abolitionist writings. The naming reflects his legacy as an early defender of free speech in the region.

The National Ragtime and Jazz Archive holds recordings, interviews, and research materials from musicians connected to the St. Louis region. Visitors can explore this collection to understand the musical roots and traditions of the area.

The library provides research assistance, computer workstations, study rooms, and a MakerLab with 3D printing and digital fabrication capabilities. Visitors should note that these technical facilities operate primarily on weekdays.

The Albert Richard Mohr Collection holds the world's largest assembly of manuscripts and works by modern European composers. This exceptional gathering attracts music scholars and researchers studying contemporary classical compositions.