When Rollins College was founded in 1885, its library collection consisted of a Bible and a dictionary. Today, students have access to considerable library resources ranging from ancient times to the latest technology in information retrieval. From its inception, the library has been an integral part of the instructional, intellectual, and cultural life of Rollins College. These tools facilitate student creativity as they pursue research questions and prepare multimedia presentations and Web pages. Open stacks with study areas throughout, conference rooms, group studies, and a tower lounge with exhibit space are some of the features that provide an inviting research and study environment.
Patrons are able to use individual and group media rooms for viewing and listening.
The library's collections reflect the liberal arts mission of the College. The College Archives and Special Collections Department, housed in the renovated Mills Memorial Center on the Winter Park campus, provides further opportunities for research in rare books and manuscripts and the historical records of Rollins College. Special collections, often acquired through bequests, emphasize the liberal arts character of the library. The Archives, offer a wealth of information to local historians interested in the priceless holdings on the past of Winter Park. The library faculty are information professionals who, in addition to providing individual reference and research consultation, teach library research methods to various classes.