Special Collections

About the Book Collections

Special Collections has approximately 20,000 books, grouped into several collections based on content. The book holdings in Special Collections cover a wide range of time periods and subjects. Among our earliest holdings are several examples of incunabula, or books printed between 1450 and 1500, including a leaf from a 42-line Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed with movable type in the West. Other early items of interest are a manuscript Book of Hours and a block book Pauper's Bible.

The book holdings include the following collections: 

• Augustana Institutions Collection:  Includes materials published by and about the college, as well as the history and heritage of Augustana.

• Charles XV Collection: Represents the earliest days of the Augustana library, and is named for the Swedish king who, in 1862, gave 5,000 volumes from his personal library to help the struggling Swedish-American College.

• Upper Mississippi Valley Collection: Includes works on the Upper Mississippi Valley (from St. Paul to St. Louis), the exploration and settlement of the region, and local history. 

• Rare Books Collection: Consists of strong holdings of first editions of nineteenth century British and American authors, as well a number of example copies of physical characteristics (e.g., fine bindings, illustrations) and genres (e.g., artists' books, culinary texts). 

To learn more about our varied book holdings, please see our full description. 

Search the Book Collections

• Known keywords or subjects: Use the OneSearch catalog to search for items by subject, author, title, or keyword.  Click here to launch a search specific to the holdings in Special Collections.

• If you'd like to cast a wider net, click here to launch a broader search that includes the entire Tredway Library collection and the holdings of the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center.

• Please note that some of our book holdings are not reflected in the electronic catalog and can only be identified and located by Special Collections staff via a card catalog.  It is always a good idea to consult with us by email, phone, or in person in the reading room to ensure a thorough search has been conducted.

Collection Highlights