Overview

The libraries of Wake Forest University support instruction and research at the undergraduate level and in the disciplines awarding graduate degrees. The libraries of the University hold membership in the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries.

The Wake Forest University libraries include the Z. Smith Reynolds (ZSR) Library, located on the Reynolda Campus and supports the undergraduate College, the Wake Forest School of Business, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Divinity. The Law Library, housed in the Worrell Professional Center on the Reynolda Campus, serves the School of Law. The Coy C. Carpenter Library serves the Wake Forest School of Medicine and is located on the Bowman Gray Campus.

Collections

The three library collections total over 2.7 million titles, including over 1.7 million e-books, more than 150,000 electronic journals and over 15,000 DVDs as well as streaming media and other formats. The ZSR Library serves as a congressionally designated selective federal depository. The Law Library holds over 45,000 volumes and the Coy C. Carpenter Library holds over 35,000 volumes. The three libraries share an online search portal, which provides access to books, electronic resources, journals and databases. Through interlibrary loan service, students, faculty and staff may obtain materials from other libraries at no charge.

Z. Smith Reynolds Library

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library (ZSR) provides comprehensive reference and research services in-person and online. Research Librarians work with individual classes across the disciplines on research papers and library users can request personal research sessions with Research Librarians at all phases of their research process. Library faculty also teach elective courses in the fundamentals of research and information literacy and upper-level courses geared towards research in the disciplines and special topics in information. The Digital Initiatives & Scholarly Communication librarians and staff support and empower faculty scholarship through digital tools, methods, publication, and preservation.

Special Collections & Archives (SCA) in the ZSR Library is the repository for the Baptist Historical Collection of North Carolina, Manuscripts, the Rare Book Collection, and the University Archives.  The Baptist Historical Collection contains significant books, periodicals, manuscripts, and church records relating to North Carolina Baptists, as well as the personal papers of prominent ministers, educators, and government officials with ties to Wake Forest. SCA’s Manuscripts include the  papers of alumnus Harold Hayes (editor of Esquire magazine in the 1960s and 1970s) and other alumni, the Maya Angelou Film & Theater Collection, and the records of the Irish Dolmen Press. The Rare Books Collection, which includes the collections of Charles H. Babcock, Charles Lee Smith, and other donors, has collection strengths in 18th-20th century British, American, and Irish literature,  African-American history and literature, and the history of material texts. SCA maintains the University Archives which serves as the  primary repository for the historical records of Wake Forest University. The University Archives collects, describes, preserves, and  exhibits University records (including electronic and born-digital) that contain historical, administrative, legal, or fiscal value. The records include documentation of the student experience, departmental records, and the papers of faculty.  All are welcome to use the SCA collections, many of which are available online in SCA Digital Collections, Please contact archives@wfu.edu for access to the collections by appointment or submitting a specific question.

Spaces

The Z. Smith Reynolds library has group study rooms equipped with large screen monitors and individual study carrels that can be booked online. Publicly available Windows and Macintosh computers are available in the Scholars Commons, and media viewing stations are available in the Media Room. Multimedia equipment, Chromebooks, tablets, and other technology devices may be reserved for checkout. Reference and online chat are available to help library visitors to find resources and research assistance. The library has a 118-seat auditorium that is available for use by Wake Forest community groups for programs, lectures, and film screenings. 

ZSR houses the Information Systems Service Desk, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching,  and The Writing Center. The Center for the Advancement of Teaching is a resource center for Wake Forest faculty at all stages of their careers. The Writing Center provides help to guide students through their writing process.

Access

ZSR library is committed to creating an accessible, enriching, and welcoming community space for all.
The library's hours vary by semester and can be found at https://zsr.wfu.edu/calendar/. A room located to the right of the entrance to the library and may be accessed by keycard when the library is closed, offering access to multifunctional printers/copiers/scanners, and the library’s bank of touchless smart lockers for pickup of requested materials. The study room on the left of the entrance houses the Coffee Shop. Check out the hours and events calendar to stay up to date. See a full description of the ZSR Library resources and services at zsr.wfu.edu.