Iupui University LibraryEdit
The IUPUI University Library serves as the central information hub for IUPUI, the joint campus of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis. As the academic library for a large urban research university, it supports thousands of students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines by providing access to print collections, digital databases, and instruction in information literacy. Beyond its role in classrooms and laboratories, the library functions as a public-facing institution that helps preserve scholarly work and fosters lifelong learning for the local community and campus neighbors.
The library’s mission reflects the broader aims of the IUPUI campus: to advance teaching, research, and public service by maintaining robust collections, deploying modern information technologies, and offering reference and research services. It operates within a system of Indiana University Libraries that coordinates access to resources across campuses, while also maintaining locally curated materials and services tailored to the IUPUI community. In addition to serving as a repository for scholarly materials, the library supports digital scholarship, archives, and outreach initiatives that connect the campus with Indianapolis and the surrounding region. For background on the institution and its governing structure, see Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.
History
The IUPUI campus was established in the late 1960s as a collaboration between Indiana University and Purdue University, and the library component emerged to consolidate and coordinate the information resources needed by a growing urban research university. Over the ensuing decades, the library expanded its physical space and transitioned toward digital collections and online services to meet the changing needs of students and researchers. Renovations and programmatic shifts have aimed at increasing access to resources, supporting interdisciplinary research, and integrating information literacy into curricula. The library’s history reflects broader trends in higher education toward greater reliance on electronic databases, digitization projects, and partnerships with other libraries in the region.
Collections and Services
The IUPUI University Library maintains a broad spectrum of resources designed to support coursework, independent research, and public engagement. It houses collections across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences, while also stewarding special collections and archival materials that document local and regional history. In addition to physical volumes, the library provides access to major electronic databases, e-books, journals, and streaming media, often through the Library catalog and various online platforms. Research support is delivered through reference services, liaison librarians, and instruction in information literacy, helping students and faculty locate, evaluate, and use information effectively. The library also supports digital initiatives and institutional repositories, including collaborations with the Archives and Special Collections and broader efforts within Open access and digital scholarship.
Access to resources is complemented by services such as interlibrary loan, study spaces, and technology-enabled learning environments. The library curates guides and tutorials on topics like research methods, citation practices, and data management, linking students to appropriate resources in Open Educational Resources and other academic supports. As part of the Indiana University Libraries system, the IUPUI University Library collaborates with campus teaching and research programs to integrate information resources into the curriculum and scholarship.
Access and Facilities
The library strives to provide broad access to materials for the IUPUI community and visitors. Physical facilities are designed to support individual study, collaborative work, and quiet reading, with spaces suitable for research consultations, workshops, and informal learning. In addition to on-site services, the library maintains digital access to its collections, enabling remote scholars to search the catalog, retrieve articles, and explore digital repositories. Patrons can engage with librarians through in-person help desks, email, chat, and phone reference services, as well as through instructional sessions conducted in classrooms or online. The library also participates in regional and national efforts to promote information accessibility, digital preservation, and long-term stewardship of scholarly materials, aligning with broader goals within Open access and Academic publishing.
Governance and Funding
As part of a joint campus structure, the IUPUI University Library operates under the broader governance framework of IUPUI and the two parent universities, with input from faculty, students, and campus administration. Budgetary decisions reflect the priorities of the campus, the availability of state and institutional funding, and the needs of both large lecture programs and research initiatives. Funding supports acquisitions, staff, facilities, and digital infrastructure, and the library periodically reviews its collections to balance broad scholarly access with cost containment. The library’s reporting and planning materials are typically aligned with the goals of the Indiana University Libraries system and campus-level strategic plans.
Controversies and Debates
Like many large university libraries, the IUPUI University Library sits at the intersection of evolving scholarly norms, budget pressures, and campus culture. Debates commonly center on how to balance traditional scholarship with emerging areas of study and social engagement. Some critics argue that libraries should prioritize widely used, discipline-focused resources and core canonical works, while others emphasize the importance of diversifying collections to reflect a broader spectrum of voices and experiences represented by the campus community. Supporters of inclusive collections contend that access to a diverse range of materials enhances critical thinking and mirrors the realities of a plural society, while critics may worry about mission drift or budget allocations away from other essential fields.
From a practical standpoint, concerns about journal prices, licensing arrangements, and the expansion of digital databases are perennial topics. Open access and the drive to reduce cost barriers for students and researchers remain central to conversations about the library’s long-term strategy. Proponents argue that transparent budgeting and evidence-based collection development help ensure that scarce resources yield maximum scholarly value. Critics may claim that some initiatives—such as orientation toward broader social and cultural topics—tether the library to ideological considerations rather than purely scholarly outcomes. In response, library leadership typically emphasizes that inclusive collections support a fuller, more accurate representation of scholarship and public inquiry, and that strong information literacy programs help students navigate and assess a wide array of material. These debates reflect broader tensions in higher education regarding the balance between tradition, fiscal restraint, and the evolving demands of a diverse student body.