Special Collections, Heritage, and Archives

Special Collections, Heritage, and Archives (SCHA) comprises of the Library’s Special Collections and Archives, the National Fairground and Circus Archive and the ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓý’s Heritage Collections. We collect, preserve and provide access to our extraordinary collections.

An image of an opened book.

Discover our Collections

Search for and browse material held by Special Collections and the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA). Descriptions of our collections can now be searched using Discover Our Archives and other finding aids, including digitised material.

Discover our Collections

SCHA Reading Room 2024
Special Collections, Heritage, and Archives Reading Room

Use our Collections

Special Collections and Archives and the National Fairground and Circus Archive are open to students and staff, as well as external researchers. Find information about our reading room and how to book your visit, digitisation services and how to contact us.

Use our Collections

An image of visitors looking at display cases of a Library exhibition.

Exhibitions and Engagement

We hold regular exhibitions, talks and activities at Western Bank Library and other venues as part of our public programme of events. Visitors can explore a diversity of stories told through our collections. All our exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.

Exhibitions and Engagement