In more recent years the library has tried to add to its collection new books, articles, and dissertations that relate only to Truman's life and career. The book collection now totals about 40,000 items. A card catalog is available in the research room. The library also has all of the volumes of Foreign Relations of the United States that document Truman's Presidency. The library has subscribed for many years to a small number of archival, historical, museum, and educational journals and newsletters.
Back issues are available on request.
Many reference questions that come to the library can be answered or partly answered by the newspaper and magazine clippings, article reprints, pamphlets, copies of documents from Truman's papers, and other materials kept in the Vertical File. This file, about 54 linear feet, is a product of more than 30 years of collecting effort by the library's research room staff. Most of the library's books are available for overnight loan to researchers working at the library. 500 W. US Hwy.