NAH Library

Coffee mug in front of a shelf of books

About the Native American House Library

Library Hours

Academic Year Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm
  • Closed on holidays

Summer and Winter Break Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm
  • Closed on holidays

Mission Statement

The mission of the Native American House (NAH) Library is to extend the NAH’s service as a resource center by making its collection available to University students, the greater campus community, and alumni. The NAH Library is committed to fostering an intellectually diverse community by making available a collection of books, newspaper articles, audiovisual materials, digital resources, and photographs on American Indian subjects. Our mission statement is anchored by the following values:

  • Meeting the educational needs of a diverse community.
  • Providing services that encourage cultural enrichment.
  • The responsibility of libraries as forums.

Holdings

The NAH library catalog is searchable through Library Thing. The collection at Native American House includes current subscriptions to First American Art, Native Peoples, Tribal College Journal and others. A collection of DVD’s is available for check out, and books cover a range of categories. For further reading and research guidance, the University of Illinois Library System offers a guide to its holdings. In addition, the Gender Studies & Multicultural Services Librarian hosts office hours at Gender & Women’s Studies, 1205 W. Nevada on Mondays, from 3–4:30 pm.

Browse the NAH Library on LibraryThing

Loan Policies

Library patrons may borrow up to a maximum to three items for a period of 14 days. All loans should be promptly returned, unless renewed. The borrower is responsible for returning the loaned item(s) to the Native American House in the same physical condition in which they were lent. If an item is lost, the borrower must pay $25.00 in compensation. Borrowers may renew items (1) time for an extension of 14 days. Check-outs are processed by the front-desk employee at the Native American House. Items may be renewed or placed on hold in person, by email, or via telephone. Return all materials to the front desk.

Loan Form (pdf)

Re-Shelving Library Materials

We require that patrons return all materials to the front desk for re-shelving before leaving the NAH. Library users may ask to have materials placed “on hold” for up to a week from the last time the items were used.

Book Categories

  • American Indian student development
  • American Indian Women
  • American Indian Heritage and History
  • Art
  • Children
  • Cultures
  • Conquest and Resistance
  • Decolonization and Post colonial theory
  • Fiction
  • Landscapes
  • Leaders and Movements
  • Linguistics
  • Memoirs
  • Oversized books
  • Poetry
  • Politics
  • Publications
  • Race relations and controversy
  • Reference
  • Rites and Traditions
  • Spirituality and Legends
  • Young Adult

Acquisitions and Donations

We value the provenance of our collection items so if you wish to make a donation of materials, please contact us at nah@illinois.edu to schedule a time to drop off your print, or media items. We ask that you fill out our Donation Form so that we may have a record of donors and the items they’ve contributed to our collection. Your generosity is appreciated!

Donation Form (pdf)

Greg Rodgers Memorial Children’s Library

In December of 2015, we mourned the passing of Greg Rodgers. Greg was a cherished friend and colleague at Native American House, whose generosity with his time and his gifts as a Choctaw storyteller will be remembered for years to come. In particular, Greg delighted us with his stories about Chukfi (rabbit), who “never stops talking.” His family has provided initial funds for a collection of children’s literature in his honor, so that stories can continue to nurture our community.