The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library supports the academic mission of Bates College by acquiring, caring for, and making accessible historically significant records of the College, rare books, oral histories, and manuscript collections, including the papers of U. S. Senator Edmund S. Muskie for whom the library is named. The library serves a broad and diverse audience by producing exhibits, conducting educational and outreach programs, publishing its holdings, and making its collections and programs publicly available.