University Libraries
The George Washington University’s five libraries serve the three University campuses, the Law School and the Medical Center. They offer students and faculty members access to thousands of scholarly journals, reference books, international literature old and new, maps, photographs, history tomes and much more. Special collections feature unique literature and first-hand history not found elsewhere.
The Jacob Burns Law Library is among the largest academic law libraries in the United States. It features a research collection rich in American historic and contemporary legal materials, as well as international and comparative materials. The Law Library’s holdings of more than 600,000 volumes (and equivalents) and its range of electronic resources provide researchers with a wealth of legal information.
Eckles Library at Mount Vernon Campus
The Eckles Library, located on the Mount Vernon Campus, is part of the Gelman Library System. It houses a print collection of more than 64,000 volumes covering political science, women’s history and contemporary issues, interior design, history, literature and more.
The Melvin Gelman Library is the University’s largest library. It houses the Special Collections Research Center Manuscript Division, a Rare Books and Maps Division, rotating exhibits, National Security Archives, the Global Resources Center and more.
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library serves the faculty, students and staff of The George Washington University Medical Center by providing the resources and services needed to support the Medical Center's educational, clinical and research activities. Himmelfarb librarians assist the University community with various research needs. Among the library’s responsibilities are ensuring that the University is in compliance with the National Institutes of Health Open Access Policy and assisting researchers applying for federal grants with compliance issues.
The Virginia Campus Library, located in Ashburn, Va., is part of the Gelman Library system and serves the neighboring Virginia communities. As a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center and member of this nationwide network of libraries, community foundations and nonprofit agencies, the library provides visitors with free public access to grant maker directories, books and select electronic databases from the Foundation Center. The Foundation Directory Online, a fully searchable database with detailed profiles of all active U.S. foundations, is available during regular library hours.
Library Alliances
Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance
The Gelman Library System is a member of the Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance (CIRLA). CIRLA libraries are members of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries located in Delaware, the District of Columbia and Maryland. CIRLA members allow certain borrowing privileges across institutions. Other alliance members include area universities such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, as well as the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, the National Library of Medicine and the Smithsonian Institution.
Washington Research Library Consortium
The Gelman Library System is a member of the Washington Research Library Consortium, which extends borrowing privileges to eligible patrons from other Consortium libraries. WRLC members are found in the immediate Washington area and include American University, Catholic University, Georgetown University, George Mason University and others.
Special Collection is a Historical Goldmine
Treasures of the PNC-Riggs Bank archives include D.C. historical records dating back to 19th century and valued at $5.2. million...
The GW Experience
Students
All in the Family
Greg and Heather Hachenburg talk about their undergraduate experience at GW, one of many sibling pairs to share in the Colonials legacy.
Creating Next Generation Leaders
GW program helps female students connect with leading women across a variety of fields and develop their roles as future women in leadership.
Where the City is a Classroom
Freshman volunteers experience life beyond Foggy Bottom...
Faculty
Fighting Neglected Diseases
GW professor works to eradicate diseases that affect the health, education and economic development of the world's poorest people.
Building the Super Computer
Pioneering lab puts GW at the forefront of high-speed computing and offers GW students unprecedented access to science and skills of the future.
Blast From the Past
Students map an ancient—and dramatic—eruption as part of a geological research program in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.
Alumni
Giving Back to the District of Columbia
D.C. public health director calls GW education the foundation of his career.
GW Opens Doors
A chance encounter with a GW alumna helped give one GW undergraduate, an aspiring broadcast journalist from Texas, his big break.
The Legend Lives On
The $2 million bequest commitment caps a lifetime of philanthropy and service to GW, establishing the Elyse B. and Donald R. Lehman Endowed Professorship in Theoretical Physics.