SERVICE ALERT: A construction project on the entry level of the Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) will result in occasional noise that could impact user experience. Consider floors 3, 4, and 6 as alternative quiet study options, and for collaborative study areas, please use floor 5. Earplugs are available at the PCL desk upon request. 


Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 2023 9:39am

Benson Latin American Collection

Benson Library

The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection is one of the premier libraries in the world for Latin America and Latina/o Studies. We proudly marked our centennial in 2021.


Hours of Operation

About the Benson

In partnership with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies (LLILAS), the Benson is a global destination for research and study, with over a million volumes as well as a wealth of original manuscripts, photographs and various media related to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean and Latina/Latino presence in the United States.

Our Collections

Mexican Cinema

Featured Resource – Agrasánchez Collection of Mexican Cinema

For film lovers and researchers alike the Agrasánchez collection of Mexican cinema provides visual documentation of cine mexicano from the Golden Age (1930s-1960s) through the 1990s. The collection consists primarily of movie posters, lobby cards and still photographs, and greatly complements the research and audio visual collections available at the Benson Latin American Collection and through the wider UT Libraries digital film collections.

Benson manuscript

Rare Books and Manuscripts

The Benson Latin American Collection Rare Books and Manuscripts Reading Room provides access to a wide range of primary sources from and about Latin America, U.S. Latinas/Latinos, and African diaspora.

Archival collection descriptions are available in Texas Archival Resources Online
Search for rare books in the Library Catalog
Contact Benson archivists: (512) 495-4578, email
Learn more

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LLILAS Benson Digital Initiatives

LLILAS Benson Digital Initiatives encompass an array of digital collections, collaborations, and scholarly projects, documenting the heritage of Latin American, U.S. Latinx, African Diasporic, and Indigenous American communities.

Explore our digital collections and content guide
The Archive of the Indigenous Languages of Latin America (AILLA)
LLILAS Benson Digital Scholarship

Research Guides

Benson manuscript

Latin American Studies

Explore resources for general and archival research in Latin American Studies

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Latina/o Studies

Explore some of the best resources for general and archival research on U.S. Latinas/os.

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