Manuscript materials of Kelvin Smith Library Special Collections include archives and papers of institutions and individuals representing diverse subject areas such as literary manuscripts, the history of science and technology, the history of Cleveland Public Housing and fine and performing arts.
- Browse ArchivesSpace for finding aids describing our manuscript and autograph collections
- Make a request to view Special Collections materials by appointment or make a photoduplication request by logging in or creating an Aeon account
- View digitized Special Collections materials in Digital Case
- Introduce special collections, archives, primary sources, and their use with modules available through KSL’s Instruction Hub
- Complete a KSL Instruction Request form to schedule a class session incorporating our unique collections
Reading room appointments are required to use Special Collections materials to ensure adequate time for retrieval and availability of the reading room. All are welcome to make appointments using Aeon, our online request system
- Appointments to use special collections materials are available Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
- Anyone using special collections items agrees to abide by Special Collections Policies during their visit to help us preserve the collections
- Questions? Reach us by phone at 216-368-0189 and by email at KSLSpecialCollections@case.edu
Current exhibits:
Gone But Not Forgotten: Remembering Past Colleges and Schools of CWRU is an exhibit by Case Western Reserve University Archives. This exciting exhibit celebrates Adelbert College (1882-1971), College for Women (1888-1971), Matthew A. Baxter School of Information and Library Science (1903-1986), School of Pharmacy (1908-1949), Cleveland College (1925-1971) and the Schools of Education (1928-1945) and Architecture (1929-1953). This history is told through photographs, drawings, and objects.
Also on view is Ancient Antioch to Contemporary Cleveland, an exhibit curated by Art History PhD candidate Arielle Suskin. This exhibit features the Kelvin Smith Library Special Collections Coin Collection, which holds over three hundred coins spanning 600 years of ancient history, and a small group of historic coins from the modern era. They are now available to the world in Digital Case.
Exhibits in the Henry R. Hatch Reading Room change regularly. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to view exhibits during open hours. Please see the KSL Exhibit Program page to view our digital exhibits and learn more about what you see on display in the reading room and elsewhere within the library.