Canonical English literature of the U.K. and the U.S and its attendant scholarship are represented at research level, with notable collection strengths in the literature of Great Britain during the Medieval and 18th century periods. Literatures of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth nations are now collected at study level (supporting instruction and basic research), though they had been acquired at research level in the past. Particular notice is given to acquiring work by and about African-American, Latino, American Indian, and LGBT authors, as well as to English-language writing by indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand.

To support Cornell's strong Creative Writing Program, contemporary American, British, and Irish fiction, poetry, and drama are given close attention, as are experimental texts published by independent American small presses and journals showcasing contemporary creative work. While literary fiction is of primary concern, traditional genres of popular fiction such as mystery and science fiction are represented at study level. Romance, western, techno-thriller, fantasy, and historical fiction are collected at basic or minimal levels.

The acquisition of contemporary graphic novels and reprints of major works in the genre has increased in recent years, but the existing collection is at a basic level overall since comic books and comics compilations were not actively acquired in the past and are not widely used in the curriculum at this time.