The house that biscuits built
Discover the 50,000 rare books and 5 kilometres of archives and manuscripts held by The University of Reading Special Collections.
Original geometric design by Owen Jones (1867) by Jones, Owen, 1809-1874.Original Source: University of Reading Special Collections
Special Collections
Special Collections brings together the University of Reading’s collections of rare books, archives and manuscripts. The collections are a remarkable resource for collections-based learning and research.
Correspondence from George Bell and Sons ArchiveOriginal Source: University of Reading Special Collections
Two of our collections, The Samuel Beckett Collection and the Archive of British Printing and Publishing, are designated collections under Arts Council England’s Designation Scheme.
Student looking at The grammar of ornament by Owen Jones in the Reading Room (1856) by Jones, Owen, 1809-1874.Original Source: University of Reading Special Collections
Visit us
Visit us and you will receive a warm welcome at University of Reading Special Collections.
Our collections are available to view in our pleasant reading room, which is open to all.
View of Special Collections & The Museum of English Rural Life, from the garden (2019)Original Source: https://collections.reading.ac.uk/special-collections
The house that biscuits built
Our professional team of archivists and librarians work in a building originally designed by Sir Alfred Waterhouse in 1880 for local businessman Alfred Palmer of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit company (we also hold their archive).
Ephemera from John and Griselda Lewis Collection, being used in a teaching sessionOriginal Source: University of Reading Special Collections
Our collections, which include rare books, archives and manuscripts, are substantial and varied, particularly for a University of this age and size.
The majority of our collections result from donations: the bequest of the Overstone Library in 1920 setting a pattern. The collecting of manuscripts and archives began in a systematic way in the 1960s, dominated by the programme to collect and manage British publishers’ archives.
Teaching and research
The use of our collections for research and learning is as broad as the subjects that we cover.
Researchers come from across the world to access our books and archives.
We love to share our collections with students in teaching sessions.
Manuscript leaf from a Book of Hours, in Latin, produced in France (Paris) (1450) by AnonymousOriginal Source: University of Reading Special Collections: European Manuscript Collection
Visit us online
Discover our digital content, from our online exhibitions to our blog, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Search all of our collections from home using our catalogue.
Lane's telescopic view of the interior of the Great Exhibition [diorama]. (1851)Original Source: University of Reading Special Collections: Great Exhibition Collection
Discover more
Explore our key collections, or browse an A-Z list of our collections. Search for collections via our catalogue. We would love to hear from if you would like to get in touch.
