Mission

Special Collections preserves, safeguards, organizes, and describes materials in our collecting areas, making them available for current and future generations.

We support the teaching and research activities of the University of Houston, and serves as a resource for the scholarly community and the general public.

Services provided include

• Reference and instruction
• Archival collections and books processing
• Digitization
• Collection development
• Exhibits
• Marketing and outreach

Collections scope

The University of Houston Libraries Special Collections includes the following collecting areas:

• Architecture & Planning Research Collection
• Carey Shuart Women’s Research Collection
• Contemporary Literature Research Collection
• Energy & Sustainability Research Collection
• Hispanic Research Collection
• Houston & Texas History Research Collection
• Houston Hip Hop Research Collection
• Houston History Archives
• LGBT History Research Collection
• Performing & Visual Arts Research Collection
• Rare Books Collections
• University of Houston Archives
• USS Houston & Military History Research Collection