About Special Collections

Located on the 9th floor of Memorial Library and accessible using elevator #5 (marked “Special Collections | South Stacks”), the Department of Special Collections contains manuscripts and rare books which benefit from special handling because of their age, rarity, or value. The Department also houses collections that are themselves of unique research value, because they concentrate on a particular author, publisher, topic, or genre and thereby permit scholars to explore a subject in great depth.  The reference collection in the reading room is available for browsing; all other Special Collections materials will be paged and brought to researchers in the reading room. Special Collections materials do not circulate.  Members of the campus community, visitors, and researchers are all welcome to use the collections and view our exhibits.

• History of the Department of Special Collections

  Brief history of the Department of Special Collections, formerly the Rare Book Department.

• Hours

  The Department is generally open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Please click on Hours to plan your visit.

• Location & Directions

  Campus location and parking information for Special Collections (and Memorial Library).

• Staff

  View the Staff of the Department of Special Collections.

• Supporting Special Collections

  Information about gifts of books or other materials, as well as other ways to build collections and support activities in Special Collections and the UW-Madison Libraries.