University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The items in the Digital Collections of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language. The Library condemns discrimination and hatred on any grounds. As a research library that supports the mission and values of this land grant institution, it is incumbent upon the University Library to preserve, describe, and provide access to materials to accurately document our past, support learning about it, and effect change in the present. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, we do not censor our materials or prevent patrons from accessing them.

If you have questions regarding this statement or any content in the Library’s digital collections, please contact digitalcollections@lists.illinois.edu

American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the University Library

Sjoerd Koopman Library Postcard Collection

The Sjoerd Koopman Library Postcard Collection was donated by Sjoerd Koopman, a Dutch former librarian, who also for a range of years worked for the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). Koopman owns a large private collection of pictorial and photographic postcards, depicting libraries throughout the world.

The collection of almost 18,000 cards consists of external as well as interior views, in color and black/white, vintage and modern, and is still growing. It holds postcards of buildings of public, academic, national, mobile, medical, museum and private libraries, reading rooms, catalog halls, etc.

Koopman is currently donating all of his duplicate postcards of libraries in the US to the American Library Association Archives, which are available in this digital collection. Future contributions and their descriptions will be added to this digital collection.