Rare Books and Periodicals

Special Collections and Archives holds approximately 70,000 rare books and periodicals focused on a variety of subject areas. The collections also include items that are considered valuable, unusual or fragile. Due to their condition and rarity, these materials benefit from a light, temperature and humidity controlled environment. They are stored in closed-stacks areas to ensure that the materials are available for our patrons to use for many years to come.

Collection Strengths at James Branch Cabell

• Library Architecture and decorative arts of the late 19th and early 20th century
• Artists' books and photobooks of the late 20th century to the present
• Comic books, comics history, and graphic novels 
• Richmond authors, imprints, and serial publications Richmond history the mid-19th century to the present

Collection Strengths at the Health Sciences Library

• 19th century American medical imprints
• Physiatry and otorhinolaryngology
• Confederate Medical imprints

To learn more about our rare books and periodicals, you can schedule a consultation or instruction session.