Library
The MSRC Library
With more than one hundred and seventy-five thousand books, pamphlets, periodicals and microforms in numerous languages in its collections, the Library Division provides extensive documentary evidence of the history, lives and struggles of people of African descent.
Among the library’s holdings are many rare works, going back to the sixteenth century, by such notables as Juan Latino, Jacobus Capitein, Gustavus Vassa, Phillis Wheatley, Jupiter Hammon, David Walker, Frederick Douglass and Martin Delaney. The collections are particularly strong in the first editions and first works by early twentieth century contemporary writers, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Richard Wright, Alice Walker, Nicolas Guillén, Wole Soyinka, James Baldwin, Chinua Achebe, Toni Morrison and Amiri Baraka. Special resources within the division’s collections include: theses and dissertations written on Black-related topics by students of other colleges and universities; English and foreign language newspapers, journals and magazines which provide current and retrospective examination of the Black diasporic experience; and an extensive vertical file collection consisting of thousands of folders of biographical and subject-related ephemeral materials which often serve as the sole source of information on obscure as well as better known people and events. Current and rare titles are added regularly to the collection to enhance its growth and development.
Dr. Dorothy Porter Wesley's Impact
"The appointment in 1930 of Dorothy B. Porter as curator of the Moorland Foundation was the beginning of a new era. A graduate of Howard and Columbia Universities, Mrs. Porter devoted 43 years to the development of the collection. In addition to creating a new classification system suitable for a special collection, she developed a wide variety of research tools based on her encyclopedic knowledge in the field, including authoritative bibliographies that have been invaluable to scholars. Substantial expansion of the collection was made possible by the opening of the Founders Library in 1939, the provision of special acquisition funds, and support for staff through the Works Progress Administration. Mrs. Porter was assisted in those critical years by Mrs. Ethel L. Williams, later librarian of the School of Religion." Moorland-Spingarn Research Center: A Past Revisited, A Present Reclaimed, by Former MSRC Director Michael R. Winston
Library FAQs
Can I study in the Reading Room as a student without an appointment?
The Reading Room is currently closed for appointments due to construction.
Am I required to make an appointment for in person research?
Yes. This will ensure staff can properly prepare for your arrival so you can get the best out of your research experience.
Do I need to bring anything with me to my research appointment?
Yes. Please be prepared to show your confirmation email to our Reading Room check-in attendant upon arrival, and ensure you have a student or government ID to show security at the Founders Library main entrance.
What are your hours for in person research in the MSRC Reading Room?
The Reading Room is closed for renovations, but is open from 9am-4pm.
Where is the Reading Room?
The Reading Room is located in Founders Library on Howard University's main campus, 500 Howard Place NW,20059. When you enter Founders Library, the Reading Room is at the end of the hallway on the right.
How can I schedule an in-person appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by selecting “Request An Appointment” above to get started.
What information do I need to provide when scheduling an in-person appointment?
You will need to provide your name, contact information, and any relevant details requested by the scheduling system.
Can I cancel or reschedule my in-person appointment?
Yes, you can cancel your appointment by using the cancellation link in your confirmation email and reschedule by cancelling and choosing another time available on the division calendars. Please cancel the appointment as soon as you know you cannot make it to make room for other patrons.
Are there any fees associated with scheduling appointments?
Scheduling a research appointment in our Reading Room is free. However, requesting copies of our collections will incur a charge. Please visit the division page you are requesting materials from for details.
How far in advance can I schedule an in-person appointment?
You will need to schedule appointments 24 hours in advance. Check the scheduling system or contact our office at 202-865-8678 for more information.
Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes, please click this link to schedule a virtual reference appointment.
What do I do if I encounter technical issues while scheduling online?
If you experience technical difficulties, please reach out to our support desk at 202-865-8678. Provide details about the issue so that we can help you troubleshoot.
Can I schedule appointments for multiple people in one session?
Appointment timeslots are reservations for individual patrons only. If there are other members in your party, each person will need to request a timeslot within the same session.
