Collections

Explore Creighton’s Library Collections

The collection at Creighton University Libraries comprises a broad range of print, digital, archival and special materials that advance learning, research and discovery across disciplines. Its holdings include rare books, university archives, special collections, and distinctive instructional resources such as anatomical models and kits, reflecting the university’s academic and service mission.

You can search the library’s holdings—and materials beyond Creighton—using JaySearch, the library’s catalog and discovery system. If you’d like to add something to the library’s collections, we welcome purchase suggestions from faculty, staff and students.

Archives and Special Collections

The Creighton University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections preserves and shares the documentary heritage of the University and the Jesuit, Catholic mission it serves. We steward a wide range of materials, including institutional records, rare books, manuscripts, the University’s historic photographs, faculty papers, and distinctive thematic collections such as the Carlson Fable Collection and the John P. Markoe, SJ and Omaha DePorres Club Papers. Our staff supports research, teaching and community engagement by providing expert guidance, classroom instruction, and access to our reading room and online materials. See the links below to access our collections. Additionally, you can help support the University Archives.

Creighton Digital Repository (CDR) 

The Creighton Digital Repository (CDR) captures, preserves and shares the scholarly and creative work of the Creighton community in digital form. The repository supports collections in many formats and provides both open and secure access to materials.

Open CDR collections are discoverable through major search engines, helping expand the visibility and impact of research, scholarship and creative work produced at Creighton.

Submitting Materials

Adding materials to the CDR allows you to maintain control of your collections while making them easier to discover, access and preserve. The repository also offers the following benefits:

  • A customizable and flexible method for displaying content
  • A persistent URL for each item
  • The ability to manage mixed collections of text, image, video and audio formats
  • Either open or secure access
  • Powerful discovery tools
  • Usage data for all items
  • Support and training as needed

CDR Collections

  • Daily Reflections Archives: Since 1998, Creighton University has offered Daily Reflections for every day of the year. Each day one of more than 50 faculty and staff writers at the university prays with a set of Scripture readings and shares a personal reflection.
  • Online Retreat: A 34-week virtual retreat designed for everyday life and offered by the Collaborative Ministry Office.
  • Audio Retreats: Recorded retreats for daily life, Advent and Lent.
  • Models and simulators: This digital collection includes information about models and simulators, along with interactive virtual models that can be accessed on or off campus.
  • Kits and posters: Students and faculty can check out public health information kits and posters included in this collection.

Collection Areas

Creighton University Rare Books Room

 

University Archives Collections

 

Special Collections

 

University Publications

 
Close

Creighton University Rare Books Room

The rare books collection includes rare and valuable print materials ranging from The Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible to 14th-century religious texts to U.S. historical works and first editions by prominent 20th-century writers. The Rare Books Room serves as the research area for the University Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections department.

The room is located on the main level of Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library and is available by appointment only. To inquire about visiting the Rare Books Room or accessing materials from the rare books collection, please email University Archives or call 402.280.2746.

Close

University Archives Collections

The mission of the Creighton University Archives is to acquire, preserve and organize materials with enduring value related to the history of Creighton University. To support Creighton’s teaching, research and service mission, these materials are available for research, instructional, administrative and other uses and serve as an informational and educational resource for audiences within and beyond the Creighton community.

  • Creighton Family Collection: This collection contains materials related to the founders of Creighton University.
  • Omaha Area History and Miscellany: The Omaha–Council Bluffs area is the primary geographic focus of this collection, which contains materials related to events, people and places in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.
  • Omaha Committee on Foreign Relations: The Council on Foreign Relations in New York City created the Omaha Committee (OCFR) as one of more than 35 affiliates. Each affiliate serves as a nucleus of informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and contributes local perspectives to speakers and the council.
  • St. John's Church: This collection contains documents and items related to St. John’s Church, located on the Creighton campus.
  • William F. Rigge: This collection contains materials related to Fr. Rigge, who was assigned to Creighton in 1896 and had a distinguished career as a teacher and scientist. Much of his work involved the Creighton Observatory, and he published widely and earned both local and international recognition.
Close

Special Collections

The library’s special collections encompass thematic collections not specifically related to the history of Creighton University. Some include historical tools and equipment from the fields of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry; fable-related literature and memorabilia; religious realia; and artwork from several continents. Most collections are on display at the Health Sciences Library in Phoenix or the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library in Omaha. Some collections can be viewed online—more will be added over time.  

Close

University Publications

The Creightonian: The first issue of the Creightonian was published in October 1922. The weekly student newspaper soon supplanted the Creighton Courier as the primary source of campus news. Today, the student-run Creightonian publishes a weekly print edition as well as an online version during the academic year. 

Creighton Courier: The Creighton Courier began in June 1912 as a semi-monthly supplement to the Creighton Chronicle, a university journal that combined campus news with academic articles by faculty.

Bluejay Service News: The Bluejay Service News was a newsletter distributed to former students of Creighton University who were serving in the military during World War II.

Chronicles & Shadows: Originally begun in 1909 as The Creighton Chronicle, this publication served as a primary source of university news until the Creighton Courier newspaper emerged in 1912. The publication later evolved into what is known today as Shadows.

The Bluejay (Creighton Yearbook): Creighton University's yearbook, the Bluejay, was published from 1924 through 1941. Publication stopped during World War II and did not resume immediately after the war owing to a lack of student interest. The Bluejay returned in 1949 and was issued annually until 2011.

Close SidebarClose Sidebar