Research and Collections

The distinctiveness of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library is based on its collections. In the links below you will find information on identifying materials relevant to specific research and study interests, along with general information on primary collecting areas. Included are research guides to a number of subject areas in which the library has significant holdings and information about the special research centers built around our collections in advertising history, African and African American documentation, women's history and culture, and documentary photography.

• Finding Materials
  A guide to identifying and locating manuscript, archival, and printed collections in RBMSCL.
• Collections
  Links to information about the principal collecting areas
• Digitized Collections
  Links to and information on digitized collection materials and Internet accessible exhibits.
• Research Guides and Pathfinders
  Information on various tools and subject guides to assist in identifying and interpreting RBMSCL collections.
• Research Centers
  Information on the John Hope Franklin Collection of African and African-American Documentation, the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture, the John Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising, and Marketing History, and the Duke Documentary Photography Archive.
• Using RBMSCL for Research
  A tutorial on identifying, locating, and using primary source collections.
• Collection Development Policy
  Information on the policies and background guiding the collecting of RBMSCL.