Special Collections

Fall Term '24 we are open for walk-in research Mondays and Wednesdays 9-12 and 1-4! Outside of those hours, simply request an appointment below.

Please reach out with your archival and rare book questions and inquiries.

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.

John Bigelow Papers Finding Aid Available

The John Bigelow Papers finding aid is now available! It contains additional details about the extensive correspondence found in the collection, from correspondent names to subject areas. The collection is also available online here! For more information on the project, please read this College News announcement.