Collections

The holdings of the Department of Special Collections include manuscripts and rare books, which benefit from special handling because of their age, rarity, or value; our holdings contain as well archival collections of various sorts. We also hold other 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 Little Magazines collection is a noteworthy example in this category).  The links below highlight strengths of the collection; see the Library Catalog for more detail concerning particular titles.

• English & American Literature

  Includes, among other collections, extensive holdings of “little magazines,” the Cairns Collection of American Women Writers, and author collections

• European History, Literature, & Social Sciences

  Collections ranging from the 14th to the 20th century pertaining to European history, literature, and related fields

• History of Science

  One of the nation’s leading collections of science, technology, and illustrated natural history

• History of the Book

  Collections focusing on the history of printing, publishing, book design, paper, writing, and alphabets

• Little Magazine Collection

  Characterized by their non-commercial attitudes and their penchant for the avant-garde, little magazines have rebelled against established literary expression and theory by demonstrating an aggressive receptivity to new authors, ideas, and styles

• Named Collections

  Alphabetical list of named collections purchased or donated to the University

• Other Collection Strengths

  Notable collections include accounts of exploration in Africa, India, Iraq, and Israel; 19th-century works published in and about Mexico; Tibetan and Mongolian blockprints; papyri in Greek and Latin; 20th-century Latin American poetry; campus humor magazines

• Philosophy & Theology

  Rich resources of printed books on Protestant thought and 16th- and 17th-century theological controversies, as well as Freethought, Unitarian, and Saint-Simonian titles

• Suggest a Purchase

  We value your collection suggestions!