Welcome to special collections
Reading Room
Visit the Special Collections Service reading room
About Special Collections
The University of Reading’s main collections of rare books and archives are diverse and surprising. As part of our wider network of museums and collections we share these collections with all – for research, learning, inspiration and enjoyment.
Explore our Collections
Opening hours
Tuesday-Friday
Reading Room 9:30am – 4:30pm
Museum & Cafe 9am – 5pm
Did you know
03 / 06
...a unique example of 15th century printed text by English printer William Caxton was unearthed in one of our collections?
The Caxton Leaf was found in the John & Griselda Lewis collection. The two pages are from a medieval priest handbook dating back to late 1476 or early 1477. No other copies of the pages, printed either side of a single leaf of paper, are known to have survived.
Did you know
04 / 06
...our oldest archival document is a 12th century charter of Henry II?
This charter of Henry II to the Abbey of St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte, was issued at Westminster sometime between 1155 and 1158. We have several examples of medieval manuscripts in our collections, which includes a fine collection of illuminated manuscripts and Books of Hours.
Did you know
05 / 06
...the work of Owen Jones (1809-1874), the influential design theorist, can be found throughout out collections?
Jones designed the backs of playing cards for De La Rue, designed Huntley & Palmers' trademark garter and buckle, was the Superintendent of Works for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and published his design masterpiece The Grammar of Ornament in 1856.
Did you know
06 / 06
...we have 40,000 rare books and 5km of archives?
We have been building up our collections of rare books and archives for over 100 years beginning with the deposit of the Overstone Library in 1920. Collecting archives began in earnest during the 1960s and some of these early collections form the basis of our Archive of British Printing and Publishing.
