Special Collections

Special Collections are an assortment of objects considered unique (or "special") enough to be preserved for future generations. Items found in a library's Special Collection have significant historical value and are often very old, rare, or fragile. These may include books, photographs, personal letters, periodicals, media, and artifacts.

The emphasis of Special Collections in the Sonoma State University Library is on the history, people, and culture of the North Bay region of California, but some collections cover a wide range of subjects. Topics included in the SSU Library's Special Collections include North Bay artists and authors, California history and politics, environmental history and activism, Sonoma State University history, as well as world history and literature. Explore our collections by topic or by browsing an A-Z list.

A permit for travel into Japanese occupied North China, from the Roy Maxwell Talbot Papers collection

Lobby posters for mid-20th century film adaptations of Jack London novels, from the Jack London collection

Photo of SSU cheerleaders posing in formation during the 1960s, from the University Archives collection

Image of object from Special Collections

A button commemorating the 1980 'Year of the Coast', from the Environmental History Digital Collection

Sonoma State University Library's Special Collections include manuscripts, photographs, books, periodicals, media, and artifacts. Access to print collections is by appointment and special handling procedures will apply. For easy access to a growing number of digitized treasures, explore North Bay Digital Collections.