Special Collections at the University Library contains rare and fragile materials like manuscripts, rare books, maps, and images that require preservation and secure storage, including the North Carolina Collection, Manuscripts and Rare Books, University Archives, and Digital Collections, with resources that can be checked out or must be viewed on site based on their fragility. Researchers are encouraged to search finding aids and request materials in advance through the Aeon system to have items ready when visiting the Special Collections reading rooms.

1. SPECIAL
COLLECTIONS
AN OVERVIEW OF
HOLDINGS AND SEARCH
TECHNIQUES
Matt Reynolds / North Carolina Collection

2. What are Special Collections

A Broad Concept

Narrowed or focused scope
 Often
has collections within collections
(Roberts Collection – NCC, Hoover
Collection – SC)
Includes rare and fragile items in
need of preservation and secure
storage
 Sometimes uses specialized finding
aids (not just the library catalog)


3. Rare Books
1926 Tecoan superlative page
Carolina Twins chapbook

4. Manuscripts

5. Images

Digital Collections’ “Man Holding” Collection

6. Maps

Copy of Montanus Map (1671-1673)

7. What about our Special
Collections?

Manuscripts and Rare
Books

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



Manuscripts
Rare books
Maps
Broadsides
Closed stacks
None is intended for
check out and must
be viewed upstairs

North Carolina
Collection






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Rare and not so rare
books
Periodicals
Microfilm
Maps
Broadsides
Open stacks
Much is available for
check out

8. What about our Special
Collections?

University Archives






University records
Artifacts
Oral histories
University publications
Papers of professors
None is intended for
check out and must
be viewed upstairs

Digital Collections




Contains digitized
versions of other
Special Collections
holdings
Available any time and
any place
Copies are
downloadable
Physical copies can
be viewed where they
are stored (SC or
NCC reading rooms)

9. Access: Circulating vs. NonCirculating

Rare Books, Manuscripts, and University Archives





North Carolina Collection

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No items circulate
Items must be viewed in the Special Collections
search room
Special considerations regarding viewing materials
Items should be requested through Aeon
Many items circulate
Only rare books need be requested via Aeon
Digital Collections


Digital items are always available (usually for
download)
Physical items can be viewed in the NCC or SC

10. What is Aeon?

It is an advanced request system for special
collections materials
Allows us to pull items before you come in
 Allows you to keep information on file with Special
Collections
 Allows you to keep track of your requests
 Like the Dominos Pizza Tracker but for
rare materials


11. Searching for Materials





Library Catalog
Manuscript Guides
North Carolina
Periodicals Index
Newspapers on
Microfilm and
Clipping File
Digital Collections

12. Planning Your Visit

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
Budget plenty of
time
Bring your OneCard
Hours and
Locations
Choose a topic early
Free research
consultations