Special Collections
Special Collections is comprised of Photographic Archives and Rare Books.
Special Collections Mission Statement and Vision 
Special Collections is the combined service point for Photographic Archives, Rare Books, Manuscripts and other special materials. To use these collections, please go to the reference desk in the Ekstrom Library lower level room LL17. The staff can provide information about the collections, guide the user in searching and using the collections and provide information about related collections at other institutions. Classes and group tours are welcome. Please call to make arrangements. Special Collections can provide photographic and digital reproductions of most our materials. For more information see services and forms.
Photographic Archives
The Photographic Archives houses almost 2 million photographs and associated records and manuscripts. Hundreds of discrete collections include national documentary projects, local history photographs and an excellent museum collection of fine prints. Current exhibit: Documenting Black History in Louisville: selections from the Louisville Defender collection February - May 27, 2011
Rare Books
Rare Books includes books that are especially important because of their historical or literary significance, age, scarcity, or value. The collections also include literary manuscripts, rare posters and maps, and collections of books by or about particular authors or subjects in the sciences, literature, history, popular culture, and the history of books and printing.
Digital Collections
The University of Louisville Digital Collections is a growing resource including thousands of rare and unique images and documents from our photographic archives, rare books, and other campus units.
For Love of Learning
For Love of Learning is a searchable database containing brief descriptions of over three hundred of the thousands of special collections, archives, and rare materials held in the University of Louisville Libraries and Archives.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Doherty, photographer
Primary sources in Special Collections,
University of Louisville Libraries
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00am til 5:00pm
Additional hours by request -- please allow a three-day notice (two staff members are required to open outside regular department hours)
Special Collections is closed on all University holidays.
Contact Information
Special Collections
Ekstrom Library
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502.852.6752
502.852.8734 fax
Special.Collections@louisville.edu 
