Welcome
Special Collections connects people with rare and unique materials that inspire discovery, deepen understanding and preserve the stories of our communities. Explore rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, historical newspapers and other primary sources documenting the Southwest and cultures from around the world.
Using Special Collections
Explore Special Collections by searching finding aids, planning a reading room visit or connecting with Ask an Archivist for research assistance.
Teaching with Special Collections? Connect with us to plan a class visit or instruction session for your students.
Community spaces and centers
Community-Driven Archives
Community-Driven Archives leverages ASU resources and expertise to engage all communities in the archival process, believing that our collective histories can be found in a myriad of locations and modalities. Join us for educational programming, skills building workshops and explore how you can become an archivist of your own story.
Labriola National American Indian Data Center
The Labriola National American Indian Data Center is an Indigenous-led library center where students and community members can celebrate and critically engage with American Indian and Indigenous scholarly works and creative writing. Its staff provides culturally relevant information and research support, and the center is a culturally safe learning space for Indigenous library users.
Our featured collections
Black Collections
An archival repository focused on creating a robust community collection dedicated to documenting the lived experiences of Black people living and thriving in Arizona.
Chicano/a Research Collection
Arizona’s largest Latino archival collection that focuses on oral histories and family records.
Design and the Arts Special Collections
This collection emphasizes desert-sensitive design and the evolution of midcentury and modern architecture in the Southwest.
Greater Arizona Collection
This collection documents the diverse communities and cultures and political histories of the region.
Latin Americana Collection
This collection supports ASU faculty and students studying the literature, history, culture and languages of Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
Rare Books and Manuscripts
This diverse collection includes items representing nearly 40 centuries, from a clay tablet to contemporary artists' books.
Theatre for Youth and Community Collection
The world’s largest archive that documents children’s theatre from the 16th century to present.
University Archives
Explore the history and evolution of Arizona State University, from 1885 to present day.
Ask an Archivist
Start with a question. Explore with an expert.
Our archivists and curators can help you navigate unique collections, primary sources and connections that deepen your research or enrich your teaching. You may be inspired by the photographs, manuscripts, archives, rare books, maps or oral histories available at ASU Library.
Meet the Special Collections team
Our Special Collections team holds deep knowledge and expertise in collecting and providing access to rare and unique materials. We work with students, faculty, researchers and the community to connect people with the collections, context and expertise that support discovery, learning and research.
