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Special Collections

The Library's special collections are housed in the Donohue Rare Book Room, and feature more than 17,000 items including books, manuscripts, photographs, drawings, engravings, and other artworks.

student taking photograph of Durer print

The Museum Makers

Students work hands-on with renaissance masterpieces from the Library's Special Collections.

Old map of Italy

Rare and Wonderful

Take a peek at some of the works in the Library's Donohue Rare Book Room.

Access to Collections

Special Collections materials are available to students, staff, faculty and the University Community; non-affiliated patrons and researchers may access the collection by calling the Rare Book Room in advance to schedule an appointment.

  • Special Collections and University Archives materials do not circulate.
  • Only pencils may be used in the Rare Book Room. Pencils are available from staff.
  • The Rare Book Room is for use by Library patrons using special collections material and is not intended for study hall use.
  • Photocopying of special collections material may be available at a cost of 50 cents per page.

Digital Collections

Access materials from our Special Collections online:

Images

Visit our Flickr page to see additional images.

Hours

The Donohue Rare Book Room is on the 3rd floor of the library and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..

Locating Books

Materials located in the Donohue Rare Book Room are cataloged in the Online Catalog. To request material located in the Rare Book Room, record the title and call number and take it to the Rare Book Room, where staff will retrieve the item for you.

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