Welcome to Arts Library Special Collections

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The Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library Special Collections (ALSC) are composed of materials from the former Art+Architecture and Drama Libraries as well as the Arts of the Book Collection. These previously separate special collections are now united in the Special Collections Reading Room. Rare and unique, modern and contemporary, published and manuscript materials are gathered together to create a resource that includes both research materials about and examples of the arts.

Materials from the former Art+Architecture Library range from contemporary catalogues raisonnes to 18th and 19th century works on artists and architecture. Important collections are the Faber Birren Collection of Books on Color, the Volvelle Collection, and the Skowhegan Lecture Archive.

Materials from the former Arts of the Book Collection focus on printing, papermaking, typography, and other arts that serve the book. Of particular note are the Fritz Kredel Archive, the Carl P. Rollins Printing Library and Papers, the Fritz Eichenberg Archive, the Richard Minsky Archive, and a broad selection of fine press and artists' books, as well as other intriguingly printed and bound items.

Materials from the former Drama Library document theatrical production through photographic prints, production books, scrapbooks, and ephemera. Highlights include the Rollo Peters Archive, the Rockefeller Theatrical Prints Collection, the Doolittle Collection of Japanese Theatre Prints, and the George Pierce Baker Collection.

Arts Library Special Collections showcases its collections on a regular basis in the William H. Wright Special Collections Exhibition Area in the lower level of the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library.

Special Collections Access in Brief

Located in the lower level of the Haas Family Arts Library, ALSC is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 10am to 12pm and also from 1pm to 4pm. Reduced hours of 1pm to 4pm only are in effect during holiday and recess periods.

On site materials can be requested and used within 30 minutes of a paging request. Requests are not accepted after 3:30pm for the same day. Materials at the Library Shelving Facility require two business days notice to retrieve. Materials can be requested in person or through our online form. Consult the Special Collections Access page for more detailed information.