General Purpose
The purpose of Special Collections is to preserve and display the most valuable or unique items in the Library. The collection is set apart from the main library collection not necessarily to restrict access to these materials, but rather to monitor their physical condition and to highlight the rare and unusual items that the Library owns.
General Subject Boundaries
Material to be included in Special Collections should fit into one or more of the following categories:
- Jesuitica
- Early printed tracts (medieval to 19th century) on theology or philosophy
- Early manuscripts (up to and including the 16th century)
- Books autographed by a well-known author
- Charles A. Brady materials
- Irish literature
- Works on early Buffalo history
- Materials relating to the history of the Canisius College Library
- Books, manuscripts, and other materials that can be proven to be unique or rare or are of interest to Canisius College
Size of Collection
Special Collections contains approximately 2000 items, 1000 of which are master’s theses produced by students obtaining degrees from Canisius College. Ten manuscripts (handwritten works) are included in the collection.
Languages
The predominant languages of Special Collections material are English and Latin. Some Greek works are also included as are a couple of Arabic works.
Chronological Coverage
Materials in Special Collections date from the fifteenth century to the present day.
Geographical Coverage
Most materials in Special Collections are of European or American origin.
Format and Type of Materials Collected
Special Collections is a print collection. It includes both manuscripts written on vellum and books printed on paper.
Other Local Resources Available
Buffalo is home to a number of fine historical collections of printed material, most notably the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, the Rare Book Department of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, and the Poetry and Rare Book Collection of the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition, St. Bonaventure University maintains an outstanding collection of early religious works and also houses the Franciscan Institute, and other college libraries such as Niagara University main tain rare books collections locally.
Special Considerations
The Canisius College Library does not actively engage in building Special Collections by purchase of highly valuable or unique items. Neither is there a budget line devoted to such purchases. Instead, most material makes its way into the collection through donation or transfer from the main circulating collection. Canisius College does not actively solicit donations for Special Collections, realizing that there are still costs associated with processing and displaying material even if the material arrives free. Gifts are acceptable if they complement the collection. The Library does not conduct financial appraisals of material offered for donation. A decision to transfer a book from the main circulating collection into Special Collections is made on the basis of either the book’s inherent local value, its content, or its physical condition (ie. fragility). Inclusion of materials in Special Collections is determined on a case-by-case basis and is at the sole discretion of the Library.
Accessibility
Special Collections is available for viewing or visiting by anyone expressing an interest in doing so. Appointments are encouraged. All items housed in Special Collections are in our Canisius College Library’s online catalog. They are also cataloged in OCLC’s WorldCat, a worldwide online database of over thirty million bibliographic items, which can be found in the Canisius library databases. In addition, several notable items, principally the Books of Hours, are listed in both the 1940 print Census of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the United States and Canada (New York: H. W. Wilson).
Karen Bordonaro
November 1999