University of Edinburgh

Special Collections

Special Collections provides access to, and administers, acquires, maintains and preserves, the University's rich and varied collections of archives, manuscripts, theses, maps, and early printed books. The main activities are:

• Collection Development: To develop the collections through purchase, gift, deposit, and transfer. The Division manages a number of trust funds left to the library for that purpose, and takes a vigorous stance towards raising external funds to support acquisition. Special Collections has a specific duty to acquire relevant records for the documentation of the University.

• Collection Management: To oversee the management of the collections by ensuring they are housed in an appropriate environment, are provided with proper conservation and preservation treatment, and are kept safely and securely.

• Access: To facilitate and promote access to the collections by providing catalogues and finding aids, increasingly in electronic format, and to publish detailed information on the web, by the provision of a reading room service, seminar facilities, and a remote enquiry service, backed up by reprographic services.

• Liaison: Supporting and/or participating in various academic courses, promoting Edinburgh University Library and the University of Edinburgh through the collections.

University Archives

Edinburgh University Archives is an integral part of Special Collections. It maintains the historical records of the University of Edinburgh (particularly post 1858 but many records date from earlier periods), its predecessors and affiliated bodies. It liaises with the University's Records Management Section, and record creators across the University.

Records Management Section

The Records Management Section is responsible for data protection, freedom of information and records management best practice and compliance throughout the University. It reports to the University Secretary and the Academic Registrar. Its principal activities are the development and provision of policy, advice, guidance and training on records management and information legislation issues, ranging from the data protection implications of developments in virtual learning environments to retention schedules for student records. We also provide a full range of records management services to the Policy and Planning Department, including a central records registry for paper records.

Link to Special Collections
Link to Records Management Section