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Special Collections

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The State Library of Oregon’s Special Collections contain materials that, because of their fragility, rarity or age, need special handling and storage. They reside in an area of the library with strict temperature and humidity controls.

Types of materials you will find in Special Collections

  • Older and single-copy state government publications
  • Rare books and periodicals on Oregon history and culture
  • Maps of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest region
  • Photographs
  • A modest manuscript and archival materials collection
  • Archival and historic materials on the history of the State Library

Notable collections include

  • Oregon Writers Project, part of the WPA Federal Writers Project, archive
  • Eugenics Collection
  • Facsimiles of the Book of Kells, Gutenberg Bible and Great Domesday Book
  • Trover Photographic Studio collection
  • Siegmund Collection of 1870s images from Santiam Canyon area east of Salem

Viewing our Special Collections

The materials in Special Collections do not circulate. They may be viewed in the Government Room during public hours on Monday-Friday from 1pm until 4pm. In many cases 24-hour notice is required to access materials.

Please contact our reference desk or call (503) 378-8800 to ask about access before your visit.

Reference Desk Contact

phone: (503)-930-1422
e-mail: libraryhelp.slo@slo.oregon.gov