Mission
The Northeastern University Libraries support the mission of the University by working in partnership with the University community to develop and disseminate new scholarship. The Library fosters intellectual and professional growth, enriches the research, teaching, and learning environment, and promotes the effective use of knowledge by managing and delivering information resources and services to library users.
Northeastern University Libraries Strategic Directions 2016-2020
Other Libraries at Northeastern University
Snell Library is Northeastern's main library. The University is also served by the Northeastern University School of Law Library.
Facts and Statistics
Snell Library's collections as of June 1, 2015, comprise:
- 780,669 printed volumes
- 548,806 e-books
- 83,511 licensed electronic journal titles
- 79,605 streaming audio and visual titles
More FY2015 Snell Library facts:
- Print and electronic materials (content) expenditures: $6,231,204
- Visitors entrances into the Snell Library building: 2,001,535
- Workshops, classes and consultations: 2861
- Snell Library size: 200,000 square feet (approx.)
- Number of staff (FTE): 72.5
Explore more library data via Tableau
Snell Library
The Snell Library opened in 1990. It was designed by the Cambridge-based firm The Architect's Collaborative (TAC). The cost of the building was $35 million.
The Snell Library is named after George Snell '41, and his wife Lorraine.
Support for Open Access
The staff of Snell Library at Northeastern University is committed to disseminating their research output as widely as possible. In keeping with that commitment, the Library has adopted an Open Access policy.
Partnerships and Initiatives
For shared borrowing and lending, the Northeastern University Libraries are a member of the Boston Library Consortium, a group of research libraries in the Greater Boston area.
We are also members of:
- Center for Research Libraries
- Hathi Trust
- Internet Archive/Open Content Alliance
- PORTICO - a digital preservation and archiving service
- LOCKSS including the LOCKSS Government Documents PLN
- NERL NorthEast Research Libraries consortium (affiliate member)
- NISO National Information Standards Organization
- Open Textbook Network
Student Advisory Council
Our Student Advisory Council is a forum for students to communicate with the library on existing and new library services and initiatives, including collection development and access to information, services, space use and facilities, and technology.