Mission:
Colby College Special Collections houses the College's manuscripts and rare books as well as the College Archives. In preserving and adding to holdings of unique materials, we actively support the educational program of the campus, promoting awareness of the value of primary sources.
Colby College Special Collections achieves its purpose through:
* Supporting the broader mission of the Colby Libraries by supplementing the circulating collections in specialized areas, by making rare or original materials available to the Colby community, the international scholarly community and the general public, and by employing professional techniques for description and outreach.
* Preserving the book, archival and artifact holdings using professional practices for conservation, security and emergency preparedness during all phases of acquisition, processing, storage and use.
* Acquiring appropriate materials guided by our Collecting Policy.
Collections:
The Colby College Special Collections is home to a large compilation of "rare books, first editions, manuscripts, and letters of noted literary figures." It also houses the James Augustine Healy Collection of 19th and 20th Century Irish Literature and the Thomas Hardy Collection.
The Colby College Archives are contained in Special Collections as well. The Archives deal primarily with material pertaining to the history of the college.
The Pestana Collection, which is a collection of World War One literature and artifacts, and the Bern Porter Collection of Contemporary Letters are also housed in Special Collections. Special Collections has also recently acquired the Wesley McNair Papers.
Facilities:
Colby College Special Collections is located on the main floor of the Miller Library on Colby College's campus in Waterville, Maine. Special Collections also houses the College Archives.
Hours:
Semester: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - noon & 1 - 4:30 p.m.
closed Saturday & Sunday
Summer: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - noon & 1 - 4:00 p.m.
closed Saturday & Sunday