The variety of materials found in an academic library may include:

1. current books
2. historical records
3. general and specialized reference sources
4. material in foreign languages
5. rare materials such as first editions, manuscripts, letters
6. newspapers and magazines
7. federal state local government publications
8. theses
9. microform collections
10. audio and visual materials—cassettes, tapes, cds, recordings, art reproductions, slides, etc.