Introduction

Thomas Jefferson’s Libraries is a database of the books Jefferson owned, desired to own, knew about or recommended to others at different times in his life.

Originally funded by a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) from 2004 to 2007, this project, based at Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, aims to compile and make freely available to the scholarly community and members of the public information on Jefferson’s libraries and his books. In late 2008, this project became part of the Libraries of Early America project on LibraryThing. Data from this project is being incorporated into Thomas Jefferson's library on LibraryThing.

Our hope is that over time this database will expand to become a shared repository of authoritative information and a community resource that is freely available to all for research and study.

As we continue to enrich and enhance this database, we gladly welcome any contributions, corrections, feedback, and comments that address current information gaps in the Thomas Jefferson’s Libraries database. We encourage interested libraries, repositories, scholars, researchers and other individuals to contribute knowledge and expertise, especially with regard to extant copies of Jefferson’s books or to specific imprints documented in this resource. New information added to the database via this means will be credited to the institution or individual contributor, and shared with the user community.

To learn more about how to use this resource and the features currently available, see Features.

For history on the development of this project, see Background.

For details on the resources currently available in the database, and planned future additions, see Coverage to Date.

For details on the editorial conventions adopted on this website, see Editorial Conventions.

For details on the processing methodology and bibliographic standards underlying the database, see Project Methodology.

For the terms of use for this website, see Terms of Use.

For new highlights and updates, see News & Updates.

To ask a question and send feedback or contributions, see Contact Us.

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