Special Collections

Welcome to Special Collections and Archives! Located on the 3rd floor of Schaffer Library, we are in the process of identifying our walk-in hours for Spring Term and always welcome research appointment requests.

Request research assistance & appointments

Search for something in Special Collections*

* Need search help? *Read this guide on tips for searching our collections in Primo.

The Department of Special Collections is an integral part of Schaffer Library. It includes the Union College Archives, special book collections, manuscripts, maps, photographs, sound recordings, ephemera, artifacts, and other primary source materials which document the College’s history, and support and extend its curriculum. The mission of the department of Special Collections is to collect these materials, preserve them, and make them available to anyone with a valid need to use them, especially for the enrichment of classroom instruction. In addition, the department houses other materials which because of their physical format, condition, rarity, or subject matter require special housing and handling.

We have many collections and files with potential for research projects and thesis topics. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Preserve Your Story!

What's happening in the department?

Special Collections Librarians and Student Assistants are constantly updating collection descriptions. Senior Gabby Baratier recently updated the description and housing for the Shui Kong Yuen Photograph Collection (Union class of 1942) which includes photos (taken by Yuen) of campus life in the early 1940s. First-year student, Petr Melnikov updated the Chemistry Club records to improve access.