Archives and Special Collections

The University of Minnesota Libraries’ Department of Archives and Special Collections (ASC) collects and preserves an amazing array of materials that support interdisciplinary research.

Welcome

The collections are available to anyone with a desire to explore, discover and learn. ASC supports teaching and learning for the University community, K-12, and lifelong learners, and sponsors an active array of exhibitions and programs that are open to the public.

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Note: Appointments are required to visit the reading room within these hours.
More Andersen Library hours
Unit directory

A list of contact information for each unit in Archives and Special Collections

Explore ASC

Exhibits

Information on current and upcoming exhibits, which are open and free to the public during building open hours

Our collections

At Elmer L. Andersen Library

Yellow and orange cartoon with man sitting at a computer with the label Brainiac

Charles Babbage Institute Archives

As both archives and research center, CBI promotes the study and understanding of the history of information technology and its impact on society.

Color drawing of parade balloons in the sky over buildings, one balloon is a grey elephant and the other is a yellow and orange jungle cat

Children's Literature Research Collections

The Children's Literature Research Collections holds books, comics, story papers, dime novels, and other materials related to the creation of children’s literature, including original manuscripts and artwork.

A color drawing depicting an angel, a king, and a ballerina

Gorman Rare Art Books and Media Collection

The Francis V. Gorman Rare Art Books and Media Collection is a collection of rare art exhibition catalogs, artists’ books, zines, illustrated periodicals, and more that date from the 1500s – present.

A photograph of a group of eleven young Asian people standing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Immigration History Research Center Archives

The Immigration History Research Center Archives documents im/migration to the United States from 1850 to the present, with materials created largely by immigrants and social service providers.

A color drawn map depicting a compass, ship, crest, and various locations

James Ford Bell Library

The James Ford Bell Library documents the history and impact of trade and cultural exchange around the globe prior to c. 1825 C.E.  More than 21 languages and dialects are represented in rare books, manuscripts and archival collections, printed documents, and maps.

A black and white photgraph of a group of white men standing in front of a tent

Kautz Family YMCA Archives

The YMCA Archives documents one of the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofits and its programs to support social welfare, spiritual and mental development, and physical education.

A color drawing of the exterior of a building

Northwest Architectural Archives

The Northwest Architectural Archives is the repository for the records of architects, engineers, contractors, landscape architects, interior designers, and local professional societies from the Midwest region.

A black and white photgraph of ballerina dancers

Performing Arts Archives

Preserving Minnesota’s cultural legacy in music, theater, and dance, the Archives holds scripts, prompt books, costume and set designs, photos, and AV recordings from organizations, actors, designers, and directors.

A black and white cartoon depicting Sherlock Holmes, dressed in plaid, with a pipe in his mouth and a magnifying glass in his hand

Sherlock Holmes Collections

The Sherlock Holmes Collections constitute the largest gathering of material documenting the transformation of Holmes from a Victorian literary creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to a 21st century pop culture icon.

A color montage with the words Stamp Out and VD- Venereal Diseases

Social Welfare History Archives

The Archives documents the history of social service programs, policies, and organizations; the evolution of the social work profession; and social reform movements.

A guilded color page of a rare manuscript

Special Collections and Rare Books

SCRB serves as the University Libraries’ general repository for publications that require special handling due to rarity, age, value, or fragility.

A color photograph close up of various buttons with slogans on them, such as Lesbian Rights, Queer Nation, Act up!, Safer Sex: Just do it

Tretter Collection

The Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies includes published materials, organizational records, and personal papers providing insights into the GLBT experience, and is the home of the Tretter Transgender Oral History Project.

A black and white photograph of children viewing a wolf diaorama at the Bell Museum

University Archives

University Archives is the institutional home for historical documents, departmental collections, data, photographs, publications, and websites of the University, including faculty papers and research and administrative records.

A black and white photograph of two women in front of a long tapered candle, one woman in the act of lighting the candle.

Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

UMJA has materials illustrating the American Jewish experience from a Midwestern perspective, chronicling the activities of supporting ethnic/religious communities and advocacy organizations.

A green typescript with various handwritten edits

Upper Midwest Literary Archives

The resources in the Upper Midwest Literary Archives are integral to the study of literary history, independent publishing, and writers of the Upper Midwest.

Special collections in other locations

A color cartoon of an exaggerated flower whose blooms spell out the word Fleurs, while a woman stands underneath

Andersen Horticultural Library

Located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, the AHL is the largest horticultural library in the Upper Midwest, focusing on plants, gardening, botanical art, landscape and floral design, garden history, and the natural history of Minnesota.

Search collections

Collection guides
Use collection guides (or finding aids) that describe a collection of archival records, personal papers, or manuscripts to locate material for your research. The guide may be a brief summary or a detailed description and inventory.
Digital collections
Search our digital collections of images, maps, films and videos, audio tapes, rare volumes and publications, and select items from archival collections.
Libraries catalog
Explore the University of Minnesota Libraries catalog for information about rare and special books, periodicals, and other publications held by Archives and Special Collections units.