University of Arizona

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are now welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

What We Collect

Established in 1958, Special Collections' holdings include rare books, literature, printed materials, manuscript collections, multimedia, photographs, and maps that contribute to the interdisciplinary investigations of researchers, scholars and citizens from Arizona and beyond. 

The scope and diversity of our collections make them important resources for the international academic community. Arizona & the Southwest, Arizona Queer Archives US-Mexico Borderlands, University of Arizona History, Literature, Political Affairs, History of Science, and Performing Arts comprise our eight collecting areas.

If you would like to make a contribution, visit our support page. More detailed information about what we collect can be found on our collection development policy page. 

Special Collections is accepting donations with established safety protocols and limited contact. Donors may mail or drop off collections at the library, or arrange short, limited pick-ups of predetermined materials.

Collection Areas

Photo of 1957 Rodeo (night)

Arizona & Southwest

Regional and local history documented in printed text, manuscripts, photographs, and more

Black and white logo for the Arizona Queer Archives with a background of desert imagery.

Arizona Queer Archives

The Arizona Queer Archives centers community participation in the building and collecting of LGBTQI histories throughout the state of Arizona and the US-Mexico borderlands. It collects manuscripts and organizational records, ephemera, oral histories and other records that tell the stories of what it means to be LGBTQI in the region.

Photo of Yaqui Indian girl

Borderlands

Archival materials and printed texts on the Borderlands of the Southwest and Northwest of Mexico, from Baja, California to Tamaulipas, Mexico

Engraved Star Atlas showing the position of the supernova in the constellation Ophiuchus, the serpent holder, from Johannis Keppler's De stella nova in pede Serpentarii ... published in 1606.

History of Science

Dynamic selection of titles documenting advances in many branches of science starting with the 16th century

Artwork of a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer

Literature

First editions of works, poetry and fine press editions, and handwritten manuscripts from the birth of printing in the 15th century forward

Black and white photograph of an all-female band, The Ingenues, from the 1928 motion picture The Band Beautiful
Photo of Arizona Congressional Delegation

Political Affairs

Major congressional and political affairs collections of regional and national significance

Old main building, early 20th century

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.