James Ford Bell Library

The Bell Library makes history come alive through its collection of rare books, maps and manuscripts that focus on the history and impact of trade and cultural exchange before ca. 1800 CE. Our premier collection illustrates the ways in which cultural influences expanded worldwide, with a special emphasis on European interactions. The James Ford Bell Library, its collection, and its innovative programs support scholarship and education at all levels, and enrich our community by advancing understanding of this global heritage, making the world we live in more meaningful.