Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, Research library at University of Virginia, United States.
The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is a rare book and special collections library at the University of Virginia, holding manuscripts, maps, photographs, and historical recordings from many different centuries. The materials cover a wide range of subjects and formats, from handwritten documents to printed works.
A fire in the university's Rotunda building in 1895 destroyed most of the original book collection, prompting the institution to start rebuilding deliberately. Over time, donations and targeted purchases helped grow the library into one of the larger research collections on the East Coast.
The collection holds manuscripts, rare books, and maps closely tied to Virginia's history and American literary traditions. Visitors who spend time in the reading rooms can look at documents that show how writers and local communities were connected.
Access to most materials requires prior registration, so it is worth contacting the library before your visit to plan ahead. Staff members can help narrow down what to look for and guide you through the available resources.
The library holds two copies of the Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence, making it the only institution with more than one printed version of this document in its collection. These 18th-century originals show how the declaration was distributed across the country right after it was signed.
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