Tulane University Libraries

What Tulane University Libraries does

Tulane University Libraries (TUL) is the academic library system of Tulane University, a private research university founded in 1834 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The system comprises seven physical locations: Howard-Tilton Memorial Library (the main Uptown campus library), Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences (Downtown), the Doris Z. Stone Latin American Library and Research Center, Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC) in Jones Hall, Media Services on the 6th floor of Howard-Tilton, the off-site Annex (the third-largest library storage facility in Louisiana by collection size), and the Alfred H. Clifford Mathematics Research Library. The system serves approximately 50 staff and is governed as a nonprofit division of the university, with no external investors, independent revenue disclosure, or commercial GTM motion.

The core technical product is Library Search, a discovery interface built on Ex Libris Primo VE and backed by Ex Libris Alma, which aggregates the library's physical catalog, electronic resources (including over 100 EBSCO databases, Web of Science, Project MUSE, and NewsBank), and over 80 unique Digital Collections into a single search surface. Supporting products include A-Z Databases, LibGuides for subject research, the Tulane Digital Library (TUDL) portal, the Archival Collections portal at archives.tulane.edu, and open-access journals at journals.tulane.edu. Services span borrowing and interlibrary loan, course reserves, digital scholarship support, data management, copyright services, library instruction, scan-and-deliver, and the Creative Technology Lending program. TUSC houses the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, the Louisiana Research Collection (the oldest and most comprehensive Louisiana research center in New Orleans), the Southeastern Architectural Archive, University Archives, and Rare Books.

The business model is nonprofit and budget-funded: Tulane University Libraries is wholly owned and funded through Tulane University's operating budget rather than generating independent revenue. Primary "customers" are Tulane students, faculty, and staff, who receive the full service bundle. Alumni obtain a free Alumni Card for borrowing physical materials but no interlibrary loan or remote database access. The general public, partner-university libraries (Loyola, LOUIS, CALL, OCLC), visiting scholars, and pre-college students receive progressively limited service tiers. Strategic priorities are evident in recent activity: a 2024 donation of the Newt Gingrich Congressional Papers (3,450 boxes), a 2024 Library of Congress collaboration on the Alfredo A. Massi Collection of Salvadorean film, a 2024 community partnership with the reopened Dew Drop Inn, and the September 2026 appointment of Leonard "Leo" Martin as the inaugural Director of a newly formed Resource and Discovery Services division.

Name

Tulane University Libraries

Legal name

Tulane University Libraries

Website

https://library.tulane.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1834

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tulane University Libraries is the nonprofit academic library division of Tulane University, operating seven New Orleans locations serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visiting scholars. It provides physical and digital collections, discovery platforms (Ex Libris Alma and Primo VE), and distinctive archival holdings including the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and the Louisiana Research Collection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Research Library Operations (College/University Libraries) (EDAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Libraries (Law, Medical, Corporate, Government) Operations (EDAEAGAD), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Academic library services
• Special collections archives
• Digital scholarship support
• Research instruction services
• Interlibrary loan programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tulane University Libraries operates a multi-location academic library system providing access to physical and digital collections, distinctive special collections and archives, research support, instruction, interlibrary loan, and digital scholarship services. Its core digital product, Library Search, aggregates millions of resources across print holdings, over 100 subscribed databases, digital collections, and archival materials into a single discovery interface for Tulane students, faculty, staff, alumni, partner libraries, and visiting scholars.

Product overview

Tulane University Libraries operates as a multi-location academic library system comprising Howard-Tilton Memorial Library (main library), Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences, Doris Z. Stone Latin American Library, and several specialized units. The core digital product is Library Search, a discovery tool that aggregates access to physical collections, digital resources, and over 80 unique Digital Collections. The library system includes Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC), which houses five major collecting areas: the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz (expanded in 2021), Louisiana Research Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, University Archives, and Rare Books. Key services include interlibrary loan, digital scholarship support, course reserves, Creative Technology Lending, and the Summer Binge Bunches DVD program. The system maintains the largest academic circulating DVD collection in Louisiana and provides access to A-Z Databases and Library Guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Howard-Tilton Memorial Library: Tulane University's main library serving the Uptown campus.
• Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC)
• Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz
• Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences
• Doris Z. Stone Latin American Library and Research Center
• Tulane University Libraries Annex
• Alfred H. Clifford Mathematics Research Library
• Media Services

Products and services

• Library Search Unified discovery tool that aggregates the library's physical book and archival collections, digital resources, eBooks, articles from over 100 EBSCO databases, Web of Science, Project MUSE, NewsBank databases, and digitized resources from over 80 Tulane Digital Collections into a single search interface.
• Digital Collections Online portal providing access to over 80 digitized archives, rare materials, and historic collections from Tulane University Libraries.
• A-Z Databases Searchable list of academic databases the library subscribes to across disciplines, supporting research by Tulane students, faculty, and staff.
• Library Guides (LibGuides) Subject-organized research guides curated by Tulane librarians to help users find relevant resources across disciplines.
• Archival Collections Primary sources and historical records from Tulane's archives, including organizational records, personal papers, and historical documents.
• Tulane University Open Access Journals Platform hosting open access journals published by Tulane University.
• Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC) Division housing distinctive archives, rare books, and specialized research materials across multiple collecting areas including the Hogan Archive, Louisiana Research Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, University Archives, and Rare Books.
• Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz Internationally renowned archive documenting New Orleans jazz and music history through oral histories, photographs, audio recordings, and personal papers of musicians, expanded in 2021 to include contemporary jazz, R&B, funk, hip hop, and rock.
• Louisiana Research Collection (LaRC) The oldest, largest, and most comprehensive research center in New Orleans for Louisiana materials, including papers of governors, mayors, Civil War generals, southern writers, and organizational records.
• Southeastern Architectural Archive Collection documenting architectural history of the southeastern United States through drawings, plans, and related materials.
• University Archives Official records and materials documenting the history and administration of Tulane University.
• Rare Books Collection Rare and distinctive books spanning various subjects and periods, including fine press publications and historically significant volumes.
• Rudolph Matas Library of the Health Sciences Health Sciences Library located downtown serving medical, public health, and related research communities.
• Doris Z. Stone Latin American Library and Research Center Specialized research center for scholarship on Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas.
• Audio & Film Collection The largest academic circulating DVD collection in Louisiana, spanning international films, documentaries, and special features; also includes CD and LP collections.
• Creative Technology Lending No-barrier lending program providing access to technology equipment including microphones, cameras, GoPros, lighting, and assistive technology.
• Interlibrary Loan Service enabling Tulane affiliates to borrow materials from other libraries when not available locally, including reciprocal borrowing through LOUIS, CALL, and OCLC networks.
• Scan & Deliver Digitization service delivering scanned articles and book chapters from library materials to Tulane affiliates.
• Course Reserves Service making materials specifically designated by instructors available for student access to support coursework.
• Digital Scholarship Services Support for digital humanities research, including data management, digital project assistance, and digital publishing for Tulane faculty, students, and researchers.
• Library Instruction Educational sessions and workshops teaching research skills, information literacy, and effective use of library resources for Tulane students and faculty.
• Tulane University Libraries Annex Off-site library storage facility, the third largest in Louisiana by collection size, supporting high-density preservation and access for low-circulation library materials.
• Howard-Tilton Memorial Library Tulane University's main library serving the Uptown campus, providing primary collections, study spaces, and access to library services.
• Media Services Division providing access to film, audio recordings, microform, music collections, and Creative Technology Lending on the 6th floor of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library.
• Alfred H. Clifford Mathematics Research Library Mathematics research library supporting the Tulane Department of Mathematics.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Newcomb-Tulane College Office of Undergraduate ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2024Co-sponsored the Prima Memorial Lecture Series featuring Dr. Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr. alongside the Newcomb Department of Music.
• Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff CollectioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024Collaborative publication of the Guide to Inclusive and Reparative Archival Description, written by staff at both Tulane University Special Collections and Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Collection. This document provides guidance on applying inclusive and equitable descriptions to archival materials.
• Reveal Digital / JSTORminorOthers · 4 April 2024TUSC participated in Reveal Digital's project to scan prison newspapers from across the country and make them freely available online on JSTOR. TUSC contributed approximately fifteen linear feet of Louisiana prison newspapers including The Angola Argus, The Angolite, and others. The project makes prison newspapers freely available on an open access basis.
• Small Center for Collaborative Design (Tulane)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2024Collaborative exhibition 'Don't Stand Alone': Black Labor Organizing in New Orleans' including Hogan materials from American Federation of Musicians Local 174-496 records. Produced with New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice, Center for Public Service, Department of History, Albert and Tina Small Center, Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies, and Justice Studies Program at UNO. On view March 14 through May 10, 2024.
• Newt GingrichminorOthers · 4 March 2024Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and Tulane alumnus donated his congressional papers (more than 3,450 boxes, 1,600 linear feet) to the Louisiana Research Collection. Includes campaign files, legislative work, news coverage, videos, audio tapes and correspondence from major political figures.
• Gia Maione Prima FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Joint presenters of the Prima Memorial Lecture Series featuring discourse on American popular music and jazz. The foundation donated the Louis Prima collection to TUSC in 2017.
• Dew Drop InnflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2024New collaboration with the historic Dew Drop Inn of New Orleans for displays of archival materials from TUSC holdings, including photographs from the Ralston Crawford collection and footage from Julia Dorn's documentary. The collaboration includes co-programming educational activities and bringing archives to the widest audience through community engagement. The venue reopened in March 2024 as a 17-room boutique hotel, historic music venue, and immersive museum.
• Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2023IAMLA exhibition 'Louis Prima: Rediscovering a Musical Icon' includes materials from the Louis Prima papers (HJA-041), produced in collaboration with the Gia Maione Prima Foundation which donated the papers to Tulane. On view November 4, 2023 through October 13, 2024.
• Library of CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 October 2023Collaboration to make the Alfredo A. Massi Collection of Salvadorean film available for research. The collection of early 20th-century motion pictures is physically housed at the Library of Congress for archival film storage. Tulane retains copyright of the films. LAL collaborates on developing accurate metadata for greater access, with the goal of making the entire collection digitally accessible via Tulane Digital Library.
• Library of Congress Radio Preservation Task ForceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2023Melissa A. Weber presented at the Library of Congress' Radio Preservation Task Force 2023 conference on 'Jivin' with Dr. Daddy-O' presentation about Vernon Winslow's groundbreaking contributions to broadcasting.
• Julia Dorn (Filmmaker)minorOthers · 21 June 2021Filmmaker Julia Dorn donated 43 mini DV tapes of video interviews for her unfinished documentary 'The Legend of The Dew Drop Inn' to the Hogan Archive. The collection contains interviews with musicians and others documenting the historic Black entertainment venue.
• University of West Georgia (Ingram Library)minorOthersFor 40 years, the Ingram Library at the University of West Georgia was the custodial home of the Gingrich Congressional Collection. Tulane collaborated with them to facilitate the smooth transfer of the collection to Tulane.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Emory University Libraries: Emory University Libraries operates a comparable multi-branch academic library system at a private research university, with strong special collections (Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library), use of Ex Libris platforms, and active digitization (Emory Digital Collections). Comparable in scale and operational model.
• Harvard Library: Harvard Library is one of the largest academic library systems in the world, with comparable multi-branch structure (Houghton, Widener, Countway, Lamont, etc.), internationally renowned special collections, and an active digitization program (HOLLIS). Operates the same Ex Libris Alma/Primo stack and serves a similar academic-affiliate primary user base.
• University of Houston Libraries: University of Houston Libraries is a comparable public research university library system where incoming Tulane Director of Resource and Discovery Services Leonard Martin previously led resource management and metadata. Operates Ex Libris platforms with comparable discovery and cataloging workflows.
• Rice University Library: Rice University's Fondren Library operates a comparable single-university library system with strong special collections, Ex Libris Alma/Primo infrastructure, and digital scholarship services. Both are smaller-scale private research university libraries with strong special collections identities.
• Vanderbilt University Library: Vanderbilt's library system is a private research university library comparable in scale to TUL, with similar Ex Libris-based infrastructure, special collections emphasis, and limited-but-growing public access policies. Both serve as primary information infrastructure for their parent universities.
• Duke University Libraries: Duke University Libraries is a private research university library system with comparable special collections strength (Rubenstein Library), digitization initiatives, and multi-branch organization. Both emphasize unique archival holdings as research differentiators and operate creative technology lending programs for students.
• Yale University Library: Yale University Library is a major private research university library system with comparable scope: extensive special collections, multiple branch libraries, digitization programs, and Ex Libris-based discovery infrastructure. Both institutions serve similar user profiles (faculty, students, visiting scholars) and operate distinctive archives of national significance.
• University of Michigan Library: A large public research university library with comparable multi-branch structure, distinctive special collections (Bentley Historical Library, Clements Library), advanced digital collections program, and Ex Libris infrastructure. Comparable in operational complexity, though larger in scale and public rather than private.

Broad incumbents

• Library of Congress: The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and a strategic partner of TUL (housing the Alfredo A. Massi Collection). Operates as a much larger institutional actor in the same space of archival stewardship, digitization, and preservation, but at a federal rather than university scale.

Regional players

• Louisiana State University Libraries: LSU Libraries is the other major research library system in Louisiana, with comparable special collections (Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections), Ex Libris infrastructure, and statewide interlibrary loan partnerships. Direct geographic peer and natural collaborator through LOUIS consortium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClfv2OS3N1OE-TJwDDHESuQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/tuspecialcollections
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tulaneuniversityllibraries
• Instagraminstagram.com/tuspeccoll

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tulane University Libraries