Special Collections: General Information

Welcome

Special Collections houses approximately 15,000 items. Some of these items are rare or unique and most require special handling and preservation.

Access

The collections are available for use by Villanova faculty, students and staff as well as by visiting scholars and researchers.

Special Collections items are only available for consultation in the Special Collections Room. To request material, please fill out a Special Collections Request form available at Information Desk and at the Reference Consultation desk in the library or submit the online form. Requested material will normally be available on the next business day but Special Collections hours are subject to change so should be confirmed.

Books in Special Collections can be identified in the library catalog. The “limit” function by location enables you to focus your search on items shelved in Special Collections.

Hours

The Special Collections Room is located on 2nd floor of Falvey Memorial Library.

The Special Collections Room is generally open:

• Monday, Thursday and Friday: 2 pm – 4 pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 am – 12 pm

Please confirm the hours on a specific date by phone or email to the Special Collections Librarian.

Photocopying

Since many items are very fragile, photocopying is generally not permitted.

Further Information

Ask at the Reference Desk or contact the Special Collections Librarian.