University of Liverpool Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections and Archives cares for and makes available in perpetuity the unique and distinctive historic collections of the University of Liverpool. 

The collections include:

• Printed books, pamphlets and manuscripts dating from the 12th to the 21st century. Particular strengths include the Romany Collections and Children’s Literature

• Europe’s largest catalogued collection of Science Fiction material, including the Science Fiction Foundation Collection and a wealth of literary archives

• Nearly two linear miles of archives, including collections such as the University Archive, papers of the Rathbone family, papers of Lord David Owen, and the Cunard Archive

• Born-digital archival collections

The collections are widely used in teaching and research and support a range of outreach and promotional activities. They feature in online and physical exhibitions and have been loaned nationally and internationally.

The Wolfson Reading Room is based within the Sydney Jones Library and is accessible to all interested researchers by appointment. We also offer a reprographics service (subject to the size and condition of the material). We welcome enquiries, therefore please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

All photographs ©McCoy Wynne Photography.

Welcome to Special Collections and Archives at the University of Liverpool