About the Exhibit
The Exhibit
The current exhibit, on display in the Linderman Library reading room, the Café Gallery, and the Bayer Galleria, provides the Lehigh Libraries Special Collections with an opportunity to showcase a number of our recent acquisitions. It is our hope that the diversity of materials on display will inspire life-long learners in the campus community and beyond to explore and discover the wealth of resources in the collections. From curiosity-seekers to serious researchers, from those eager to learn more about Lehigh history to graphic designers, there is something for everyone in Special Collections.
The Collection
Today, Special Collections holds a rare book collection of over 40,000 volumes, with first editions of English and American literature dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Other strengths are in travel and exploration, natural history and ornithology, and works of historical significance in science and technology. Holdings in the history of technology are actively being expanded; they focus on large scale construction, such as works on bridge building and design, and iron and steel construction. Another focus is mining and metallurgy.
Special Collections also holds manuscripts and personal papers. Frequently consulted collections include the papers of Les Whitten, successful novelist and Watergate-era investigative reporter; the Congressional papers of Francis E. Walter; and the papers of the Lehigh presidents. More recently, Lehigh acquired the Philip I. and Muriel M. Berman Archives, as well as the speeches of automotive industry executive and Lehigh alumnus Lee Iacocca. Special Collections also seeks out collections which document local history, including the papers of the South Bethlehem Historical Society.
The Lehigh University Archives contains documents, photographs, and publications of the University, papers of faculty members, and Lehigh memorabilia. Special Collections is also the repository for Lehigh theses and dissertations and over 15,000 photographic images.
Special Collections
Special Collections is located on the 3rd floor of Linderman Library. While our public hours are from 1:00 – 5:00 weekdays, we are often available mornings as well. For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact us via inspc@lehigh.edu, by telephone at 610-758-4506, or visit our websites: http://library.lehigh.edu/collections/special_collections or http://libraryguides.lehigh.edu/specialcollections to discover Special Collections!