Explore a wealth of treasures in the Cadbury Research Library, the new home for Special Collections. Have the chance to read Chamberlain’s personal thoughts about his meetings with Hitler during the Munich crisis of 1938, be amazed by the beauty and elegance of Persian manuscripts dating back to the 12th century, browse through some of the greatest books ever published including first editions of Charles Dickens and magnificent works from the printing press of William Morris lavishly illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones.
The Special Collections and Archives of the University of Birmingham consist of approximately 120,000 pre-1850 books dating from 1471 and some 3 million manuscripts. Special Collections is responsible for directly supporting the University’s research, learning and teaching agenda by collecting and making fully accessible all collections and seeking to acquire material which ties into this agenda.
Special Collections is also responsible for the University of Birmingham's own heritage collection, which includes records of the founding and growth of the university.
Special Collections is located in the Cadbury Research Library, Muirhead Tower where we welcome all interested users, both staff and students of the University and members of the public, once you have registered with us.
Find out about the Olympic Memories Exhibition
In January 1912, the British Antarctic Expedition ‘Terra Nova’ led by Robert Falcon Scott, lost the race to the South Pole having been beaten by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who had arrived 33 days earlier. On their return journey, the expedition party tragically perished.
The Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections are marking the centenary of Scott’s last expedition with a display in the Main Library foyer of materials from the collections about the Terra Nova Expedition, highlighting not only the efforts to reach the South Pole, but also the perilous scientific research carried out by the expedition.
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The Cadbury Research Library : Special Collections has a close relationship with Library Services at the University of Birmingham who provide 9 site libraries across our campuses including the Main Library. To access their services please visit the Library Services web pages. It is possible for non- University members to use the University Library Service, please check their web pages for details.
For information about how to visit Special Collections please click here.
To contact us with a query and for details of our full address please click here.
Email: special-collections@bham.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 121 414 5839
The Virtual Manuscript Room
Visit The Virtual Manuscript Room, an innovative presentation of the wonderful Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts, available online for the first time!
