Library

The RIAS encompasses one of the leading collections in Europe dedicated to the United States. It holds an extensive collection of printed materials on American history, as well as a wide range of copies of archival documents on microfilm. Particular areas of strength include the life and work of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, US foreign relations, political history, and Civil Rights.

An American Archive in the Netherlands

The library's earliest collections date back to the founding of the original Roosevelt Study Center in 1987, when it received extensive donations of original materials on microfilm from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and the Theodore Roosevelt Foundation. Since then, the library has expanded its collections to become one of the main repositories for original materials on American history outside the United States. It has an extensive collection of printed materials, including over ten thousand monographs, journals, theses, and editions of primary documents, as well as a wide-ranging collection of archival materials on microfilm.

Some highlights include the complete papers of Theodore Roosevelt; the Presidential Office Files of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman; selected papers of Eleanor Roosevelt; numerous collections on Civil Rights history; and Dutch-American diplomatic correspondence dating back to 1784.

A full overview of our microfilm collections, along with detailed catalogues, is available under 'Special Collections'. For printed material, please consult our regular catalog.

Using the Library

The RIAS library is housed within the premises of the Zeeland Archives, and readers can use the archive's reading room to consult its collections. The library is open to all interested visitors during the RIAS's regular opening hours, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday, with the exception of public holidays. Please see our contact page for detailed information.

We ask that all visitors contact the Institute at info@roosevelt.nl before visiting. If you would like specific guidance on a research project, please contact to library to obtain advice over email or to arrange an on-site meeting with one of our academic staff.

Most of the library's printed collections can be borrowed, either by visiting the library in person or through your own library. If you intend to borrow materials, please remember to bring a proof of identity, such as an ID card, passport, or student card.