Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is a research library at the University of Virginia housing over 16 million objects. The collection spans manuscripts, rare books, maps, photographs, and historical recordings across multiple centuries and subjects.

The library developed after the 1895 Rotunda fire destroyed most of the university's original book collection. This loss prompted the institution to rebuild and create dedicated spaces for preserving research materials.

The collection reflects American literary traditions and Virginia regional history, displayed through works by major authors and documents that show how writers shaped their communities. Visitors see how stories and records reveal the connections between people across time.

Visitors can explore materials through digital displays, online catalogs, and in-person consultations with specialist staff. Most collections require registration to access items and work with the materials directly.

The library holds two copies of the Declaration of Independence Dunlap broadside, making it the only institution with multiple versions of this printed historic document. These rare 18th century originals show how the declaration was distributed when first published in America.