The Slide Library is a teaching collection that represents and reflects the interests of the History of Art Department faculty over a span of almost 100 years. It includes over 310,000 35mm slides and 50,000 lantern slides, and is noted for its breadth, and for its large number of original slides. The images in the Collection represent art from African, Asian, and Western cultures, and from prehistoric to modern times. Users can search for images of architectural monuments, archaeological sites, sculpture, painting, graphics, photography, or decorative arts. A large number of contextual images, including photographs of artists, their studios, friends, and other related images, help amplify the works of art.

Further information can be found in slides representing art works at varying points in time showing successive changes and restorations. There are also 'general scenes' groupings for most countries, which include images of daily life or landscape. In addition, there is a fast growing Social History file containing images supporting a broader conceptual framework for the study of the history of art: gender studies, medical arts, popular culture, advertising, gay and lesbian studies, etc. The ever-expanding collection of digital images is now over 50,000, and the text database of digital images and 35mm slides contains over 287,000 records.

Because the primary function of the Slide Library is to support the Department of the History of Art's teaching program, borrowing privileges are extended to other members of the University community for University courses and activities when such loans do not interfere with internal needs. These collections are available only for teaching purposes, and may not be used for browsing or research.

All borrowers must be affiliated with the University of Michigan either as an enrolled graduate student or as a faculty member. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in courses other than those sponsored by the Department of the History of Art are eligible to borrow slides only with written authorization from a member of the University of Michigan faculty. Images are lent for use on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus only, and may not be borrowed for lectures outside the University. Under no circumstance can Collection holdings be duplicated or otherwise reproduced.

Before using the Collection, all new borrowers must arrange with a member of the curatorial staff to receive an orientation, which takes about 15 minutes. Staff members are available for assistance in locating and reserving images. The Collection is located in rooms 40/45 Tappan Hall. New visitors must first go to room 40 for assistance. The facility is open to borrowers other than History of Art Department faculty from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The Collection is closed only on official University of Michigan closing days.