“De Maria numquam satis — Never enough about Mary”

Supporting Learning and Scholarship 

In 1943, the Marianists of the University of Dayton founded The Marian Library to commemorate a triple centennial to be celebrated in 1949-50: the arrival of the Marianists in the United States (1849); the death of Father William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary (1850) and the founding of the University of Dayton (1850). It is a special library whose presence on campus is a significant expression of the university's Catholic and Marianist identity. 

The Marian Library is recognized both nationally and internationally as a center for scholarship on the Blessed Virgin Mary. It serves the research needs of faculty and students of the University of Dayton and visitors worldwide. It also documents the diverse expressions of popular devotion to Mary, and it provides public outreach through its exhibits, tours and reference services.

The Marian Library offers its resources to students and scholars who, in their research, need an extensive and comprehensive academic library centered on studies related to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Its collections are developed and maintained to preserve and provide access to materials that support the mission of fostering Marian scholarship and sound Marian devotion. These collections consists of books, periodicals, articles, prints, and religious artifacts which date from the beginning of printing up to the present day. Comprising works in over 100 languages, it includes a general reference collection with resources in patristics, biblical studies, church history, spirituality, social sciences, hymnography, iconography, general and specialized bibliography.