The Library Company is "... an independent research library holding about 500,000 books, graphics and other rare printed items documenting every aspect of American history from the colonial period to about 1880." The collection of the library is especially strong for the 18th century. Furthermore the library has some outstanding special collections in African-American history, American education, philanthropy, agriculture, and natural history, all before 1860. Access to the online-catalog including now about 60.000 records is available.