Welcome to the Special Collections Department! Our expert staff collect, describe, and make available for research and use archival collections and rare books in support of teaching, study, and individuals’ curiosity. Plan your visit to use these collections in our Reading Room, discover our exhibitions and galleries, or join us for our events – free and open to all!
Researcher examining a rare book in the Special Collections Reading Room
To make an appointment to use materials in the Reading Room, please contact our team.
For faculty members interested in learning more about incorporating a class session into their courses, contact Petra Clark, Instruction Librarian for Special Collections.
The department’s collecting strengths and desired areas of growth are described in the Collection Development policy.
Group of visitors viewing an exhibition in the Special Collections Gallery
In 2016, Special Collections joined with Museums to form a new division within the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press. Since the creation of the Special Collections and Museums division, staff have collaborated on several co-curated exhibitions, as well as drafted and maintained a joint Collection Development policy. For more information about Museums, please visit their website.