Trexler Library
A hub for information, research, studying, and connection
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In-Person and Virtual Services
Trexler Library is committed to ensuring that its patrons have access to resources and information. During the fall and spring semesters, the building is open 90 hours a week.
Trexler Library has three floors filled with nearly 350,000 physical items including more than 19,000 movies, CDs, musical scores, and audiobooks. Beyond the building, Muhlenberg researchers can access 2.3 million ebooks, journal articles, and other electronic items.
Though the library has an extensive collection, it is not possible to have every single item someone may need. Interlibrary Loan is an inclusive service where Muhlenberg researchers have the ability to borrow materials worldwide. Physical books are shipped to the library for one-location check out, while specific articles or chapters are typically delivered electronically. Find more information below.
Personalized research assistance is available from our reference librarians. Each librarian is responsible for particular academic subjects and is available in-person or virtually.
Hours and Directions
Today's Hours
Trexler Library’s hours are subject to change due to inclement weather, campus closing, holiday observations, etc.
You must use your Muhlenberg ID to access the building after 8 p.m. Doors lock 15 minutes before closing.
Muhlenberg College is located at 2400 Chew Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Trexler Library is located on the south side of Chew Street. Parking is available on Chew Street. Parking in the lots adjacent to the library at any time requires registering the vehicle with the college and displaying a current campus permit or parking pass. Contact Campus Safety for more information on parking.
Trexler Library’s hours are subject to change due to inclement weather, campus closing, holiday observations, etc.
Interlibrary Loan
The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service provides access to materials not owned by Trexler Library.
ILL supports the study and research needs of Muhlenberg College students, faculty, staff, alumni, and some affiliates.
The ILL office will gladly obtain materials from any library for our students, faculty, and staff. College students, faculty, and staff may also borrow materials directly on-site from other Lehigh Valley college libraries. As part of the larger ILL community, we also provide items from college collections to libraries around the world.
To request an article, book, chapter, and/or dissertation that Trexler Library does not own, please complete our Interlibrary Loan Request Form or search our catalog for an exact record and place the request that way. Please contact 484-664-3510 or illd@muhlenberg.edu to determine the status of your interlibrary loan requests.
Research
Research is a process of exploration that requires both creativity and strategy. Researchers must brainstorm the different ways that people may be discussing their topic of interest and the disciplines and avenues in which these conversations take place.
The guide Get Started with Library Research is a good place to begin if you need help with research basics. It lays out the research process and the language associated with information resources to allow researchers to make efficient use of their time.
Each database contains a different set of information; a search will be unsuccessful if not done in a relevant database. Disciplinary subject guides (like history, psychology, or biology) will direct researchers to the databases best matched to those disciplines. There are also guides created for specific courses, which are listed on the left-hand side of the disciplinary subject guides. Trexler Library provides access to more than 100 databases, and librarians have created subject guides to help researchers identify the ones that will best support your work.
The Trexler Library librarians are available to discuss any part of the research process, develop searches, and answer questions. For research help, please contact our reference librarians at refdesk@muhlenberg.edu.
Special Collections and Archives
Trexler Library’s Special Collections and College Archives are the repository for Muhlenberg’s collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, sound and visual recordings, maps, and ephemera, including material relating to the college’s history. Special Collections is responsible for collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and providing access to these unique and rare primary materials for the use of scholars and the Muhlenberg community for research or in the service of instructional programs.
Some of our digitized special collections include:
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Historical Map Collections
- Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive
- Muhlenberg College Collection (College Archives)
- Muhlenberg College World War II Correspondence Collection
- Muhlenberg College World War II Navy V-12 and V-5 Collection
- Pennsylvania German Collection
- Rare Books Collection
- The Ciarla (Muhlenberg College yearbook)
- The Muhlenberg Weekly
The Special Collections office is located on Level B of Trexler Library, to the left of the elevator and stairwell. Materials may be viewed by appointment from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Making an appointment with the Head of Special Collections and College Archives in advance of your arrival will ensure that your research materials are ready for your visit.
The Special Collections are available for use by Muhlenberg College students, faculty, staff, and persons with a reasonable need to use the materials. Special Collections materials are non-circulating. Certain exceptions may be made if the condition of the material will allow circulation, and the need for use warrants it. Some materials have microform editions or circulating copies. Patrons will be referred to these first.
Most of the Special Collections material is catalogued and can be found online in the Trexler Library Catalog. Uncatalogued items, such as faculty journal articles, realia, ephemera, and audio visual materials in the Muhlenberg College and Pennsylvania German Collections are also available for research.
Contact Special Collections and Archives at scca@muhlenberg.edu.
Writing Center
Trexler Library is home to Muhlenberg’s Writing Center, which supports students across disciplines as they strive to improve their writing and, by extension, their thinking.
Contact Us
Call 484-664-3500 or email circulationdesk@muhlenberg.edu with any questions.
