University of Michigan Library
University of Michigan Library

Special Collections and Archives

  1. Art, Architecture, and Engineering Library Special Collections

    Rare, fragile, and limited editions of materials related to art and architecture, including early sketchbooks, photographs, blueprints, and artists’ books.

  2. Children's Literature Special Collection

    Classic, pop-up and movable books, works by Midwestern authors and publishers, and archival material.

  3. Early Printed Books

    Imprints, incunables, and early printed books created by significant presses, printers, and type designers.

  4. Edison Sheet Music Collection

    A comprehensive collection of published sheet music that was available in America before 1920.

  5. European History Special Collections

    Pamphlets, bibles, and early printed books covering early modern European politics, religion, and military advances.

  6. History of Astronomy and Mathematics

    Treaties, star atlases, manuscripts, and other materials documenting scientific developments in astronomy and related disciplines.

  7. History of Medicine

    Materials documenting the history of medicine from antiquity through the 20th century.

  8. Islamic Manuscripts

    Rich range of texts demonstrating manuscript production across historical periods and Islamicate cultural areas.

  9. Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive

    Materials on the American culinary experience including cookbooks, ephemera, and restaurant menus.

  10. Joseph A. Labadie Collection

    Books, pamphlets, ephemera, and more chronicling anarchism, political and social movements, and related topics.

  11. Literature Special Collections

    Published literary holdings spanning several centuries, in various languages. Also includes archival holdings, mostly poets of the 20th century.

  12. Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts

    Manuscript leaves, fragments, and codices from the 6th to the 16th centuries.

  13. Montgomery Sheet Music Collection

    Materials documenting popular music in the early 20th century, including significant representation by Black composers.

  14. Papyrology Collection

    A renowned collection of ancient texts dating from about 1,000 BCE to 1,000 CE.

  15. Philippine History Special Collection

    Published works, manuscript items, and photographs documenting colonialist aspects of Philippine history in the early 1900s.

  16. Scores, Papers, and Recordings

    Varied music special collections from composers, musicians, arrangers, conductors, and more.

  17. Screen Arts Mavericks and Makers

    Papers and other materials from notable independent filmmakers and distributors documenting the film production process.

  18. Theatre History Special Collections

    Published and archival materials relevant to theatre history, particularly in the United States.

  19. Transportation History

    A unique body of work covering transportation modes and infrastructure.

  20. Web Archives

    Collecting and preserving material from the web.

  21. Women Composers Collection

    Musical works and scores from more than 700 composers from the 18th through 20th centuries.