Books on philosophy, religion, psychology, sociology, biography, travel, history, education and political science are located in this extensive collection. 

The department is a cooperating collection of the Foundation Center, a network of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit centers that provide free public access to a core collection of printed materials on foundation grants, grantwriting, as well as, the Foundation Directory Online Professional database and the Foundation Grants to Individuals Online which are available only at the Main Library.

As a Federal Depository Library, the department makes accessible a wide range of materials in different formats from the Government Printing Office. 

An extensive literary criticism collection is also found in this department.