Subject librarian
About the African Studies collection
Stanford’s Africa collection has an extensive array of books, journals, newspapers, films, maps, special collections and databases. All of sub-Saharan Africa including the Indian Ocean islands are covered.
Stanford has one of the largest African newspaper collections in the US. Its collection of British and French colonial era documents is very strong. It holds over 850 African historical maps. In addition, geological and aeronautical maps are held in the Earth Sciences Library.
The collection has a wide variety of African posters on political, health, human rights, tourism and education topics. Colonial era postcards and commemorative textiles including designs honoring President Barack Obama are held.
Featured collections
Maps of Africa
View the collectionStanford Libraries hold strong collections of historical African maps and African geological and aeronautical maps. View our guide to the different collections at Stanford as well as links to collections held at other institutions.