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Special Collections

A close up image of an illuminated manuscript from Special Collections

Special Collections

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.

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Our collections

Our collections

Find out about our most important collections.

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Subject themes

Subject themes

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

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Research spotlights

Research spotlights

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

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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

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Handling books and manuscripts

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Opening hours

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Restricted access

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Digitisation and copying

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Family and local history research

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For staff

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Teaching support

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.

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Doorway to Special Collections

Research support

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.

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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.

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Blog

Bridging the Digital Gap at the University of Leeds

My name is Marco Brunello, and I have recently joined the Special Collections Team at the University... More on Bridging the Digital Gap at the University of Leeds

Fabrics of a Decorative Character

Originating from a collection once seen as the best of its type outside of the V&A in London, th... More on Fabrics of a Decorative Character

Seeing, Noting, Knowing: Writing about Travel in the Seventeenth Century

Earlier this year Natalya Din-Kariuki was awarded a short term post-doctoral Brotherton Fellowship.�... More on Seeing, Noting, Knowing: Writing about Travel in the Seventeenth Century