The University of Chicago has one of the best research library systems in the world, and it is particularly strong in publications related to archaeology. The libraries and their complete holdings are all located in the central part of the campus. The main collections are in the Joseph Regenstein Library, which contains more than 6 million volumes and microforms as well as another 7 million manuscripts and archival pieces. Electronic holdings are also very extensive. "The Reg" maintains a full range of social science and humanities periodicals and has excellent specialized collections, an extensive map collection, and missionary materials. The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library is a brand new research facility that is a companion to the Regenstein, enabling maximum availability of digital and print resources by providing a state-of-the-art underground storage facility with immediate access to library holdings. The John Crerar Library houses the University’s biological, medical, and physical science collections numbering more than 1.3 million books, 7000 current serial titles, and a reference collection numbering 25,000 volumes. It is especially strong in the history of science, having one of the best collections in the world in this field. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures also has a library and research archive of over 60,000 volumes that is rich in materials spanning the history of the Near East from prehistory to the Late Antique period. The Reading Room retains its original 1931 appearance.

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In addition to the University of Chicago libraries, the Newberry Library is located in downtown Chicago. It is one of the world’s largest private research libraries, and its impressive holdings are of particular interest to historical archaeologists. These include a wide-ranging collection of historical maps and the Edward E. Ayer Collection of Americana, which is one of the strongest collections on Native Americans (archaeology, ethnology, art, and language) in the world. It contains particularly extensive materials on early contact between European colonists and Native Peoples. The Newberry also offers several research fellowships.