The Main Collection includes over 30,000 academic resources supporting the IVCC curriculum. New books are added and weeded annually to maintain a relevant, up-to-date, and broadly representative collection.

The New Books Collection is located in the reading room in C-201. This collection includes all recently acquired materials. IVCC students and employees have priority access to these materials.

The Best Sellers Collection is a rotating collection of books by popular authors and on current topics. It updates frequently so visit the library often to browse for new titles.

The Graphic Novels Collection is a growing set of graphic novels and manga in a variety of reading levels. This collection is located in the reading room in C-201.

Children's literature is located in two collections: 

• Early Childhood Education (ECE): Located in the Early Childhood Education department, this collection of children's books are available to ECE students only.
• Teaching & Learning Collection: Located in the reading room in C-201, this collection includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction and non-fiction. 

A special collection of materials about the local area (IVCC District) is kept in the Local History Room. It includes information on local sites and historic events including the Illinois and Michigan Canal, the Cherry Mine Disaster, the Starved Rock Murders, the development of the Illinois Valley, and cities of the district. Due to the nature of this material, the local history file materials do not check out, and may be used within the library. A scanner and printer are available to make copies.

View more on the Local History Collection guide.

In 2013, Jacobs Library created the IVCC Authors Collection to bring together books authored by current and former members of the college community. The collection contains books authored by current and former Illinois Valley Community College faculty, staff, and students.

View more on the IVCC Authors Collection guide.

In 2025, Jacobs Library collaborated with the Center for Accessibility & Neurodiversity (CAN) to create a resource library for the CAN office to circulate to IVCC students and employees.

View more information on the CAN Collection guide.