Special Collections
We hold over 30 unique collections including over 15,000 rare books and 1000s of original documents.
The Special Collections and Archives are housed in the Lancaster University Library. They are available to anyone by appointment, and some are available digitally through .? Special Collections and Archives aim to support the needs of all staff, students and external users in the research, teaching, learning and engagement with the materials within our rare book and archive collections in the most appropriate way.
Our describes our approach to developing and managing the unique collections held by the Library at Lancaster University.
Explore our Collections
Our collections are available to anyone by appointment and there is no need to have a research topic in mind to view our holdings. We can provide virtual access to our collection and some are available digitally through .? Special Collections and Archives aim to support the needs of all staff, students and external users in the research, teaching, learning and engagement with the materials within our rare book and archive collections in the most appropriate way.
You can find information about our collection on OneSearch or follow the options below to find out more about the distinct collections we hold:
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University Archives
The University archives contain the historical records of Lancaster University dating from its conception in 1961.
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Lancaster Digital Collection shares and preserves unique and distinct visual and multimedia collections created by the University and its partners.
Collection Highlights
A Selection of items from our collections.
Bowles Atlas
This atlas was published by Bowles and Carver in the 1790s. It consists of 39 maps from the period with the place names as they would have been known at the time. This particular map is of South America. It is part of our general Rare Book collection of items dating from pre-1810.
Jack Hylton Archive
This collection traces the career of Jack Hylton, a band leader and impresario who was active from the 1920s until his death in 1965. He rose to prominence in the British dance band era was known as the "British King of Jazz". He later moved into general entertainment and created productions for theatre, musicals, along with early television. This image shows a collection of programmes from the collection.
Find out more about Jack Hylton Collection.
Socialist Pamphlets Collection
This Socialist Pamphlet collection contains publications related to the Labour Party and the Socialist Movement both in the UK and abroad between 1818-1997. This is a canvassing flyer for Counsellor David Williams JP asking for votes for the Swansea East Division Bye Election for the Labour Party on 10th July 1919.
Find out more about the Socialist Pamphlets Collection.
Cinema Memory and the Digital Archive (CMDA)
This collection was a result of The Cinema Memory and the Digital Archive (CMDA) project which examined the memories of people who went to the cinema in the 1930s. As well as oral history recordings, the collection also contains artefacts donated during the project, including the photograph of the Pyramid Cinema, Greater Manchester, by Douglas Randell.
Find out more about the Cinema Memory and the Digital Archive (CMDA)
Patten World War II Pamphlet Collection
The Patten collection predominantly contains pamphlets from the Second World war, mainly those issues by various government departments but also other informative pamphlets. It also includes sheet music of the time and various armed forces newspapers and magazines.
Find out more about the Pattern Collection.Accessing Our Collections
Our collections are open for anyone to access by appointment in the Library's Archives Research Centre (ARC). We can accommodate both in person and digital visits. We also offer other services to support the research and teaching activities of the University.
For enquiries and other services please contact us by email or call the main Library on 01524 592516. Alternatively, you can write to: Special Collections and Archives, Lancaster University Library, Bailrigg, Lancaster, Lancashire. LA1 4YH.
Further information on how to access our collections accordion
You are very welcome to book a visit to consult material in the Archives Research Centre. You may visit as an individual or part of a group.
Request for access must be made at least one week in advance to ensure we are able to book your place and retrieve the requested material ahead of your visit.
The Archives Research is located on the lower ground floor of Lancaster University Library (click here for ). There is also an accessible entrance just off the south spine of campus.
You will be asked to put your coats and bags in lockers and only take only what you need to the research desks. Please note food and drink are not allowed in the ARC.
You are permitted to take your own photographs after completing a copyright declaration form. We can also offer a limited copying service by request.
We do not have the facilities to take on lengthy research but will provide up to 1 hour of research free of charge. We can also help locate items in collections relevant to your research and provide support and advice related to our holdings.
We also offer a Virtual Reading Room service, where you can book a digital appointment to view our collections remotely. Digital appointments are one hour in length and are facilitated by a member of Special Collections staff, using an onsite visualiser and viewed via the Microsoft Teams application. During the appointment, the staff member will go through the materials at your direction while you view the item on screen.
We can also arrange for items to be used teaching and learning. Facilities offered both virtually and in person subject to availability are:?
- PowerPoints and films on various topics relating to the collections including:?
- Book History?
- Use of Special Collections and Archives?
- In-person and hybrid teaching sessions using resources chosen by academics. Past topics include:
- William Blake?
- Lake District?
- Local History?
- Beginning of books e.g. title pages, dedications, bindings etc.?
- Early Modern Bodies?
- Gender during World War II?
- Critical Editions?
- Help to prepare content to be ingested into Lancaster Digital Collections.
- Work Experience including:?
- Placements (both UG and PG);
- Volunteers;
- Schoolwork experience;
- Overview of work;
- Experience for those applying for Library or Archival courses;
- Additional Needs work experience.?
Archive Research Centre (ARC)
The ARC is a bespoke research space for staff, students and visitors to access our collections. The space is single contact point for researchers who want to access both the University’s institutional collection alongside the library and archive collections assembled by Lancaster since 1963. The space was outfitted with Research Cultures Funding from Research England in 2023.
Archive Research Centre (ARC)
The Archive Research Centre (ARC) is based in the former bindery of the University Library. The space can be accessed from the ground floor of the Library, or via the South Spine of the Lancaster campus. The ARC was officially opened in November 2023.
Group Space
Materials from our Special Collection on display in our group space. This space can be used to cater for various groups activities. The tables and chairs are movable and can be rearranged depending on individual groups requirements.
Ruskin Tables
Materials from the University Archives on display on the Ruskin Tables, which were the inspiration for the overall design of the ARC. The four tables were originally part of a suite of tables designed specifically for the The Ruskin library when it opened in 1998. Their design was a result of a collaboration between Richard MacCormac of MacCormac, Jamieson, and Prichard of London and Cumbria based furniture designer Jeremy Hall. The tables were transferred to the ARC in July 2023.
Feature wall
The Feature Wall was designed to complement the Ruskin Tables. It features shelves which can be used to display books and a picture rail which can be used to exhibit framed objects.
Virtual Reading Room
The ARC features new equipment to provide virtual access to our collection to researchers anywhere in the world. The set up also enables us to narrow the gap between digital and physical access.