Collections and Catalogues
The University Library has been actively collecting manuscript and archive material for over seventy years and there are now over 3 million records in over 600 archive and manuscript collections. The University also has a number of named Special Collections of printed material, ranging in size from under fifty volumes to several thousand.
Some of the collections are being added to actively, to support current research interests, although others remain as discrete, closed collections.
New collections are actively sought, to build on strengths and in support of research and teaching.
The holdings include:
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the papers of leading Nottinghamshire families and their estates
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the records of local businesses and organisations, including those the Archdeaconry of Nottinghamshire
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the personal papers of political, diplomatic, literary, scientific and academic figures
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some of the historical records of the University and its predecessor, University College Nottingham
The printed material includes:
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collections relating to 18th to 19th century drama
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children’s educational literature
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the history of medicine
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Icelandic literature
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the French Revolution
Collections acquired from institutional libraries are also held, as well as a general special collection of early or rare books many of which have been transferred from general library holdings.
Many subject areas, such as the study of the life and works of D.H. Lawrence, feature in both the manuscript and printed collections.