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Search Our Collections

Special Collections contains published and unpublished resources in a variety of formats. To search our collections, select one of the options below. Please contact us for assistance searching our collections.

Search for Manuscripts and Archival Material

Search our Manuscript Collections Using ArchivesSpace

Use the link above to search across Special Collections finding aids for specific words and phrases. Click here to see a complete listing of our manuscript collections.

Curious about the wide range of topics represented in our manuscript collections? Click on any subject heading in the word cloud below to go directly to the relevant collections in ArchivesSpace:

About our Manuscript Collections

The manuscript holdings in Special Collections measure approximately 2,500 linear feet and consist of over 400 collections. Collections may include personal papers (such as letters, diaries, and scrapbooks), organizational records (such as meeting minutes and membership records), financial records, photographs, audiovisual materials, artifacts, computer files, or archived web content.  Each collection can range from one small box to over 100 boxes. Many of our manuscript holdings have been described in detail by Special Collections staff. To see a list of online descriptions and finding aids, click here. In addition, some manuscript collections have finding aids that are not available online but can be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room.

Search for Books

Special Collections has approximately 20,000 books, grouped into several collections based on content.  Most, but not all, of our books are cataloged and can be located by searching in the Tredway Library's catalog, ALiCat.  Use the catalog to search for items by subject, author, title, or keyword.  Click here to launch a search specific to the holdings in Special Collections.  If you'd like to cast a wider net, click here to launch a broader search that includes the entire Tredway Library collection and the holdings of the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center.

Please note that some of our book holdings are not reflected in the electronic catalog and can only be identified and located by Special Collections staff via a card catalog.  It is always a good idea to consult with us by email, phone, or in person in the reading room to ensure a thorough search has been conducted.

Search for Vertical Files

Vertical files are created by Special Collections staff to document people, organizations, events, and other subjects. They largely consist of clippings and ephemeral items like programs, newsletters, and announcements. However, some files may include original manuscripts, archival records, or photographs.

Click here to search our list of vertical files

Search for Photographs

In addition to photographs contained within our manuscript and archival collections (which can be searched using the above link), Special Collections has retained over 10,000 discrete photographs related to Augustana College and the Quad Cities Area. There is no publicly accessible database available to search these photographs, but Special Collections staff have access to an internal image database, which we are happy to search for you. Please contact us for more information.

A small sampling of our photographs related to Augustana College may be viewed, searched, and downloaded on our Flickr page.

Search our Digital Collections

Special Collections has digitized thousands of unique documents and photographs, which are available online for researchers to access from anywhere in the world. Use the link below to explore our digital collections and online exhibits.

Search our Digital Collections