Skip to main content

New library system live - potential disruption
If you get an email saying your items are requested by another customer, this may not be true. Please check your library account to be sure. E-resources access is at risk as some data is incomplete.
Explore what's next here

Library

Special Collections

A close up image of an illuminated manuscript from Special Collections
  1. Library
  2. Special Collections

Special Collections

Special Collections

Leeds University Library’s Special Collections is the home of hundreds of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, archives and art. Our collections offer a rich resource for staff, students, and the wider research community.

Explore our collections

Find out about our most important collections, discover what we have to offer for students and researchers from various subject disciplines and explore our historic items in detail.

Gloved hands holding a compass

Our collections

Find out about our most important collections.

More
A row of books and an ipad on a shelf

Subject themes

Introductions to our collections by subject, and advice on how they can support various subject researchers.

More
A book being photographed for digitisation

Research spotlights

Guest authors explore items from Special Collections in depth and examine their research potential

More

Using collections

Everyone is welcome to come to visit us and use our Special Collections. Find out what you need to know about visiting, handling materials and making use of our copying and digitisation services.

Plan your visit

More

Handling books and manuscripts

More

Opening hours

More

Restricted access

More

Digitisation and copying

More

Family and local history research

More

For staff

A man at a desk reading a from a piece of paper.

Teaching support

We support teaching through teaching sessions, research seminars, and group study sessions. You can also download one of our teaching packs or use our online resources in your teaching.

More
Doorway to Special Collections

Research support

Researchers at all levels are welcome to use our resources, and we actively encourage the use of Special Collections material as the main subject of academic research.

More
Looking through a window into the gallery

Galleries

Leeds University Library Galleries showcase the University’s remarkable collections of art and artefacts in two galleries: Treasures of the Brotherton and The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery. Located in the Parkinson Court, they are open to the public and free to enter.

More