Collection Development Policy


Purpose
Special Collections preserves the most unique items owned by the Canisius College Library. Among the collection are more than 3000 items and distinct collections including:
  • early printed tracts (medieval to 19th century) on theology or philosophy
  • early manuscripts (up to and including the 16th century)
  • unique or rare materials related to the history of Canisius College
  • The Collection of Rev. Ludwig Bonvin, S.J. (musical composition)
  • The Joseph P. Desmond Collection of Irish Literature, History and Culture 
  • The Collection of Rev. James J. Ruddick, S. J. (seismology; Jesuit Seismological Association; Braun Seismological Station)
  • inscribed books and manuscripts of visiting speakers, authors and guests gifted or donated to the College
  • early history of the Buffalo-Niagara region, and western New York state
  • Jesuit history and scholarship, and
  • theses (late 19th and early 20th century) related to education, religion, and immigrants to western New York by Canisius students
Use of Special Collections
Special Collections is available for research use by appointment. Those wishing to use the collection for instruction purposes (i.e., all -college honors or core classes, FYS or AP high school classes) should contact the archivist to arrange a session. The collection offers the opportunity to share,  from time-to-time, through displays and on-line exhibitions.

Languages
English and Latin dominate the Collection. Also represented are works in Greek and Arabic.

Chronological Coverage
15th century to the present day.

Geographical Coverage
Continental Europe, North America. 

Format and Type of Materials Collected
Print collection. Includes both books and manuscripts written on vellum and printed on paper.

Collection Policy
Canisius College Special Collections acquires materials through donation or transfer of items from the Library's collection.  We do not actively solicit donations for Special Collections due to conservation and preservation needs associated with such materials. Gifts are accepted if they complement the collection. Inclusion of materials in Special Collections is determined on a case-by-case basis and is at the sole discretion of the Archivist.

We do not conduct financial appraisals of material offered for donation.

Accessibility
All items housed in Special Collections are in Canisius College Library’s online catalog. They also are cataloged in WorldCat, a worldwide online database of over thirty million bibliographic items, accessible through library database subscriptions. 

In addition, several notable items, principally the Books of Hours, are listed in the 1940 print Census of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the United States and Canada (New York : H.W. Wilson).

Kathleen M. DeLaney
updated March 23, 2009