The Margaret Clapp Library (named for Wellesley's eighth president), built in 1909 with the help of funds from Andrew Carnegie, is the main library for the College. The materials housed here focus on the humanities and the social sciences. The main collection is strong in English and American literature, 19th and 20th century English-language periodicals and reference works. Clapp has been designated a depository for U.S. Government documents, and these materials are kept separately on the lobby level. In addition, the fourth floor (renovated during the summer of 1999) houses Special Collections and the Wellesley College Archives. Special Collections include books which belonged to Henry Fowle Durant, the founder of the college; the Elbert Collection of slavery, emancipation, and reconstruction, a gift of Ella Smith Elbert, Class of 1888, one of Wellesley's first Black students; and the love letters of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, given by the fifth College President, Caroline Hazard (1899-1910).

Clapp Library also houses the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center and the Betsy Wood Knapp Media and Technology Center. The Knapp Center, added in 1997 to the library, consolidates course support services, media services, and language laboratory facilities. The Center (located on the lower level of the library) is a community facility where faculty, staff, and students can collaborate in interactive learning and in creating multimedia projects.

Clapp Library | Special Collections | Archives | Knapp Media Center
Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center

Parking: Disability parking is available beside the Library on the left as you face the Knapp Center going towards the rear circle, when the gates are up on weekends and evenings.
Doors: The door to the Knapp Media center (east side of the building) is accessible, with elevator access from there.

Photo taken spring 1999.

Photo taken summer 1998.

Undated archival photo.