Special Collections Research Center

Examples of works in our special collections.

Current Exhibition: Selections from Special Collections: The Weird, Wonderful, and One of a Kind

The Special Collections Research Center is comprised of several specialized book collections, manuscript collections, and the University Archives. Anyone is welcome to use our collections, but all materials must be viewed in the Woodward Family Reading Room.

Visit the Information for Researchers and Donors page for more details and suggestions.
View past exhibitions and gift/donor information.

NOTE: A picture I.D. is required while you are doing research and photocopying is done by our staff.

Postcard view of Glacier Point, Yosemite, circa 1915. From the Woodward collection.

Local History Collection

We have a broad spectrum of materials which document the history of our region.

Black and white photograph of a dam waterway from collection.

Water-Related Collections

As water is critical to our region's past, present and future, our water-related collections form a very important subset of our local history manuscript collections.

Cover of Souvenir Views of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

World’s Fair Collection

We offer access to a very special collection of memorabilia for World"s Fairs.

Cover of Relacion historica de la vida y apostolicas tareas del venerable padre fray Junipero Serra, by Francisco Palóu, 1787. The millionth volume added to the Henry Madden Library. From the Woodward collection.

Book Collections

We house several specialized book collections. Not everything in Special Collections is listed in the online system.

Photograph of President Arnold Joyal walking across the Fresno State campus, circa 1958.

University Archives

Many different types of magazines, newspapers, and materials showing the history of our campus.

Fashion plate featuring women in day dresses from the bustle period, 1884. From the Little-Bower fashion plate collection.

Political Collections

Manuscript collections documenting the political history of Central California, featuring the records of congresspeople, state legislators, a mayor and political organizations.

E. E. Roussel and A. Anvers Cognac label.

Enology Collection

Established in 1968, when materials were purchased from the personal collection of a well-known wine journalist, Roy Brady.

Photograph of Friant Dam under construction, circa 1940. From the Woodward collection.

Photographs and Slides

A lot of our photographs and slides are available online; while others must be seen physically.

Other Collections

A large number of other unique and interesting collections exist within our library walls. We want you to explore them.

Research Center Staff

Tammy Lau: Head of Special Collections Research Center & University Archivist
Julie Moore: Catalog Librarian for Special Collections
Adam Wallace: Special Collections & Archives Specialist