The types of materials found in any library's special collections or any institution's archives are varied in format. At Wesleyan, in addition to printed books and periodicals, the holdings of Special Collections & Archives include pamphlet collections, early newspapers, broadsides, photographs, prints, maps, artifacts, manuscripts, scrapbooks, and ephemera of all kinds. Because of past cataloging practices and since such materials may acquire at least some of their value from the group to which they belong, they are often best approached through locally-prepared general guides or finding aids for specific collections. At present, the existence of these guides as well as the materials themselves can be determined as you discuss your project or needs with SC&A staff.
The following guides provide entrée into the principal groups of SC&A materials: