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Searching our collections

Our print and modern collections are amongst the most outstanding in the UK and we will seek to further increase their breadth and depth.

Defining our collections 

Modern collections are defined as collections which are either owned and held by the library or to which we provide unrestricted access for our user communities.

These dynamic collections are actively managed to support Research and Teaching and Learning in a framework which takes account of University priorities and Library collections strengths, as well as collaborative management approached across the sector.

Special Collections include rare printed books, archives, manuscripts, maps and visual collections, archive

Managing our collections

We aim to acquire, preserve, and make available a wide variety of resources reflecting the plurality and diversity of society.

As a National Research Library we hold rich and diverse collections which we curate and share based on the following principles

  1. We support our Manchester users, both local and distant
  2. We build and make available our collections and data sets openly for those in the wider research community
  3. We operate collaboratively on different levels

We provide this range of resources, guided by the Library’s expertise in collection management and development, and in close collaboration with faculties and Schools of The University of Manchester. Alongside internal growth initiatives, the Library will engage with national and international partners on innovative concepts of shared and collective collections.