With more than 3.5 million volumes, extensive digital resources, and world-renowned collections of rare and unique materials, River Campus Libraries forms the intellectual foundation of learning and research at the University of Rochester. The iconic Rush Rhees Library, located at the heart of the campus, is home to the Art and Music Library; the Digital Scholarship Lab; the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation; the University Archives; the Rossell Hope Robbins Library for medieval studies; Gleason Library, a flexible study space; and the Barbara J. Burger iZone, a collaborative hub for students to explore ideas for social, cultural, community, and economic impact . The Carlson Science and Engineering Library, located in the Computer Studies building, houses the VISTA Collaboratory, a state-of-the-art data visualization lab. The Physics-Optics-Astronomy Library is located in the Bausch & Lomb building.

The Libraries’ strategic plan for 2018-2025 focuses on making its collections accessible for all, designing spaces that serve their users’ needs, enriching educational experiences, supporting scholarly research at the University, and engaging communities on and off campus. River Campus Libraries’ Advisory Committee is informed about the libraries' strategic directions and makes recommendations on major issues and policies. The Committee’s members represent the libraries' interests across the River Campus, and are charged with keeping the dean of the libraries informed of the needs and concerns of faculty and students.