Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Special Collections unit established?: The unit was established in 1973 to administer the library's Rare Book and Manuscript collections as well as the University Archives. In 1997, Local Documents was added to the unit.
What are the various areas of Special Collections?: Special Collections is made up of five areas: Rare Books, Manuscripts, University Archives, Local Documents, and Oral History.
Where are the collections of Special Collections located?: Special Collections items are located in three areas of Atkins Library: on the 10th Floor in the Dalton Reading Room, local documents on the 3rd floor, and our vault area on 9th floor, which does not have public access.
How did the Rare Book collection begin?: The Rare Book collection began in 1971 when Harry L. Dalton donated his first edition copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. The collection grew when Atkins Library obtained works by authors such as Phyllis Wheatley, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Ernest Hemingway. In 1991, Mrs. Dalton donated a copy of the first American edition of Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

Can anyone use the reading room?: Yes. The reading room is open to the public; however, it is restricted to people using the collections for research. We do not allow students to use the room or the computer as a general study area. Anyone wishing to use materials from Special Collections is asked to complete a registration form. This form allows us to keep track of what items are being used.
Why does it seem so cold in the Reading Room?: The temperature and humidity in teh Reading Room is regulated in order to preserve and to protect our materials. A consistent temperature is best when preserving books and materials. The ideal temperature for our collections is between 69-70 degrees with the relative humidity between 48-50 percent.
What is that red light canister in the ceiling outside the reading room?: That is the Halon System, a system which dispenses a chemical powder that prevents fire from obtaining the oxygen it needs to burn.
Why are the shades pulled down over the windows?: Covering the windows to block the sunlight helps to protect and preserve the artwork hanging on the walls surrounding the reading room.

What is the oldest item in the Rare Books Collection?: The oldest items in our collection are two Sumerian clay tablets, which date back to 2000 BC.
What is the oldest book in the Rare Books Collection?: The oldest book is John Chrysostom's Sermones Joh[ann]is Crisostomi de patientia Job (the Sermons of Job), published in 1471 . The book is written in Latin.
What is the oldest bible in the collection?: The oldest version of the New Testament in our collection is a Latin translation published in 1536, Testamentum novum per Des. Erasmum Roterodamum novissime recognitum. We also have a French translation of the Bible , La Bible, published in 1616. The earliest English translation of biblical text in our collection is Thomas Sternhold's The Whole Booke of Psalms, published in 1628.
What kinds of rare books are in the collection?: Most of our Rare Books Collection is of American literature. We also have a collection of English drama of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. There are over 800 plays published from 1618-1826. The plays were originally collected by Princess Augusta, Sophia, daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Why is Playboy in the Rare Books Collection?: Our run of Playboy dates back to the first printings of the magazine in the 1950's. We maintain and preserve the magazine for its research value to cultural, literary, and social history.
What is a Manuscripts Collection?: Manuscripts are unpublished documents (such as letters, diaries, photographs, cartoons, architectural drawings, and organizational records) of individuals, families, or institutions. The majority of material in our Manuscripts Collection pertain to North and South Carolina with the emphasis on the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area.
What is the largest Manuscript collection?: The Harry Golden Papers, Part 1 and Part 2, which contain about 300,000 items documenting his life and work as a journalist.
What other Maunscript Collections do you have?: Among others, we have papers on both Julius Chambers and Ben Horack, who were the rival attorneys in the Swann v. Charlotte/Mecklenburg Board of Education case on busing for integration. The two collections are probably the most heavily used of all our manuscript collections. We also have papers on Charlotte mayors as well as papers on the Alexander family. Fred Alexander was the first African American city councilman in Charlotte. You can view a complete listing from our Manuscripts Collection page.
Does the Manuscript Collection only include the papers of individuals?: No. Archival drawings and sketches are also included in this area of Special Collections. For example, we have information on Louis Asbury and Martin Boyer. They are the architects who designed many of the homes in the Myers Park and Eastover areas. We also have drawings and sketches of plans of downtown Charlotte from years ago. We also have papers from several civic organizations, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Association University Women, and the Charlotte Civitan Club.
What exactly are University Archives?: University Archives is a collection of correspondence, minutes, records and photographs as well as other documents pertaining to the origin, development, and expansion of the University since its establishment in 1946. Items in this collection include history on student organizations, administration, departments and buildings. University Archives also includes university publications such as student newspapers, literary magazines, the university catalog and the alumni magazine.
Can you give me an example of the type of archival information you might have on certain individuals affiliated with the university?: Yes. We are fortunate to have papers of "W.A.Woody" Kennedy, a leader in the establishment of Charlotte College. We also have the papers of Bonnie Cone, who was once the Director and President of the College as well as a Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Miss Bonnie was instrumental in the early years of UNCC.
What kinds of local documents does the University have?: In 1984, Atkins Library became a depository for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County documents and publications. There are various items included in Local Documents. We have over 1500 titles represented. Items include budget and evaluation on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. We have minutes on city and county school board meetings from 1855-1960. You can also find minutes on a various board meetings as well as publications on different city and county departments. The majority of titles in the collection date from the past twenty years.
Where are local documents housed?: Local documents are located on the third floor of Atkins Library.
What is Oral History?: Oral history interviews investigate interactions, relationships, dynamics, and contexts. Oral historians gather the histories, recollections, and knowledge of a broad range of people, often allowing those underrepresented in written history, to contribute to current and future generations' knowledge of places, events, and culture. The Oral History Collection contains interviews gathered by Atkins Library and UNCC faculty, staff, and students as well as interviews donated by community partners, such as the Levine Museum of the New South.
What kinds of interviews or conversations are part of the Oral History Collection?: The interviews cover a wide range of historical subjects. Examples of subjects include information on African American churches, Billy Graham crusades, women's basketball and World War II. New South Voices allows you access audio and transcripts of the interview online. Interviews not included in New South Voices can be accessed in the Special Collections Reading Room. Contact Katie McCormick to learn more about listening to interviews in Special Collections.