Library Overview
The Special Collections Department at the J. Willard Marriott Library consists of six divisions: Manuscripts, Multimedia Archives, Western Americana, University Archives and Records Management, Library Gifts, and the Rare Books and Book Arts Program. The primary focus for Special Collections is Utah, the American West, and Mormonia. The Rare Books Division expands this focus to a broad range of topics supporting the teaching and research mission of the University of Utah.
Special Collections collects current, unique, and rare materials including books, pamphlets, broadsides, maps, newspapers, posters, prints, manuscripts, print ephemera, photographs, and other multimedia. Unpublished historical collections include diaries, correspondence, business and personal records, and oral histories. Areas of interest include the Middle East, fine press and book arts, politics, journalism, architecture, science, engineering, medicine, religion, mining, arts, women's organizations, ranching, western travel and exploration, and outdoor recreation. The department's Ski Archives is one of the largest of its kind, providing information on the history of skiing, particularly in Utah and the Intermountain West.
The department provides access to its materials through on-site and online resources. The department staff produces indexes, collection guides, and other finding aids. The staff also provides a strong outreach component, offering classes, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, seminars, and collaborations with campus departments and diverse off-campus organizations. The collections are available to everyone.
The Special Collections Department is one of Utah's most important and valuable assets. Through public and private funding, Special Collections creates, maintains, and makes available important and exceptional collections that have a national and international reputation for depth, breadth, and excellence.
University of Utah
J. Willard Marriott Library
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860
http://www.lib.utah.edu/
(801) 581-8863 (t)
(801) 585-3976 (f)
