Special Collections
Who we are
- Leadership: Martha O'Hara Conway
- Email: special.collections@umich.edu
- Organization chart
- Staff directory for Special Collections
What we do
The Special Collections Research Center acquires, cares for, and encourages the use of some of U-M’s most important collections of unique, rare, primary source, and other material in all formats and in a variety of subject areas.
We make collection material available for consultation in our reading room, offer instruction sessions and other presentations to groups, and invite exploration and collaboration through exhibits and special events.
Curators are responsible for building and managing collections; helping students, faculty, researchers, and others make effective use of them; preparing and delivering instruction sessions and other presentations to groups; and promoting and interpreting collections through exhibition and outreach.
The Research Services Librarian directs all aspects of service delivery in the reading room, oversees the fulfillment of requests for duplication of collection material, and serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries about our collections and services.
Our colleagues in the Collection Services Unit are responsible for ensuring that collection material in all formats and across all collecting areas is described, discoverable, and available for use.