Consulting Special Collections

The Utrecht University Library offers a rich collection of manuscripts, maps and old and rare printed works. Material from these special collections is available on request for viewing by anyone who visits us, works with us or studies with us.

Our Special Collections are located on the sixth floor of the University Library Utrecht Science Park. Please report to the reception desk upon arrival.

Requesting Special Collections

You can request material from the Special Collections via WorldCat. Some materials are not, or only partially, available via WorldCat. Examples include archives, manuscript fragments and sheet music. Would you like to view this material? Please contact the Special Collections department. 

If an item is particularly fragile or rare, your request will first be assessed by a curator. You will only be able to view the item after receiving permission.

Requests as a guest

Are you not working or studying at Utrecht University and would you like to view materials? If so, you will need a guest account (guest Solis ID) to request materials via WorldCat. Apply for the guest account online and activate it at the service desk. Let a desk staff member know that you would like to view the Special Collections.

When can I collect the requested item?

You will be notified when your requests are ready at the Special Collections desk. The material will be kept there for 10 days for you to view in the Reading Room or the Map Room. Special rules apply when handeling material.

Viewing digitised works

In WorldCat, you can see whether an item is available digitally. Most of the digitised works is available via open access, which means that anyone can view them anywhere. A small proportion is only available to UU students, staff and visitors on site (on the UU network) due to copyright restrictions.

Materials in the open display

Reference works and other literature on special collections, book history, codicology and cartography are located in the open display on the sixth floor (the Reference Library). There, you can take the material out of the cupboard yourself and consult it. Maps and atlases can be viewed in the Map Room. Facsimile editions (replicas) and special reference works can be consulted in the Reading Room.