Distinctive Collections at Western Libraries

Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections document the history of Bellingham, the surrounding counties, and the development of WWU, as well as global topics ranging from the art and history of the book to children's literature, Jewish history, and outdoor recreation. The collections include a wide variety of historical primary source material such as rare books and manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, newspapers, oral histories, maps, and more.

CEDAR (Contributing to Education through Digital Access to Research) is part of a global movement promoting open access to education and research. CEDAR enables easy access to the research, scholarship, and creative works of Western Washington University's faculty, staff, and students.

The Children & Teen Poetry Collection (PoetryCHaT) includes antiquarian books and ephemera alongside contemporary writers, artists, and spoken word poets. Our extensive circulating and special collections support poetry teaching, learning, writing, and illustrating.

The Children’s Literature Interdisciplinary Collection (CLIC) contains a range of publications that reflect the breadth, depth, and complexity of literature written for children and young adults.

Curated Collections from the last year that include topics of interest and selected Affinity Month content.

The Government Information Collection includes Federal, Washington State, and Canadian materials located on the third floor of Haggard Hall and online. The collection has a historic focus on the Pacific Northwest with topics such as sustainability, conservation, and environmental policy. Many of the maps in our Map Collection are also government publications.

Mabel houses digital collections from many university departments.

The Map Collection is a diverse collection including over 65,000 contemporary and historical maps, atlases, reference books, and globes. This collection covers various parts of the world, with an emphasis on the Salish Sea, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Western and Northern Canada.

Western Libraries Mongolian Studies Collection is one of the largest collections of books on Mongolia and Central Asia in North America, and it serves as an important cultural bridge between America, the peoples of Central Asia, and Mongolists in other countries. With over 18,000 titles and still growing, this collection covers the humanities, social and natural sciences, and medicine.

Located in the historic Reading Room (Wilson 4 Central), the Northwest Collection includes materials connected to the unique cultural, historical, and environmental heritage of the Pacific Northwest region, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia.

The Student Assistant Recommended Reading (StARR) Collection is the result of a program where senior student employees at Western Libraries choose a favorite book or media item to mark their graduation and recognize their service to the Libraries. We place bookplates inside the books and include the student's name in the library catalog record.

Items with the ‘Student Success Collection’ designation are sprinkled throughout the collection.  These items are aimed at early undergraduate students who identify as first-generation, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and others that may not fit the traditional college student mold. The collection includes topics like research skills, financial literacy, study skills, conflict management, and self-esteem.

Located outside the Tutoring Center, the Sustainability Shelf features a rotating assortment of materials related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The collection is intended to educate visitors about climate change, support students’ connection to nature, mental health, and self-care; and create hope for the future, social justice, and climate action.

Located in The Corner—a cozy nook between Zoe’s and the Daylight Lounge—the Zine Collection includes   Pacific Northwest-made zines that offer a diversity of perspectives and experiences.