Collections Overview

The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections includes 400,000 printed volumes, more than 70 million manuscripts, and another million photographs, paintings, prints, and other visual media. Below you will find descriptive information about some of the highlights of Cornell's rare book and manuscript collections. Catalog records for rare books and manuscripts on many other subjects - including many subjects not covered below - can by found by searching the Cornell University Library catalog.
Guides for some of our our archival and manuscript collections are also available.

Primary Collection Strengths

American History & Culture


American Indian History & Culture


Architecture & Planning


Cornell University History


East Asian History & Culture


European History & Culture


Food, Wine & Culinary History


Icelandic History & Culture


Latin American History & Culture

Literature & Theater


Music


Natural History


Photographs & Visual Materials


Popular Culture


Science & Technology


Sexuality & Gender


Southeast Asian History & Culture


Travel & Tourism

Other Collections Sections