WELCOME TO SPECIAL COLLECTIONS!

The Lehigh Libraries Special Collections is the home of the university’s archives, local history, manuscript and rare book collections, and is open to the Lehigh community and the public. The collections preserve and provide access to thousands of linear feet of archival materials and over 40,000 rare books.

But there’s more to Special Collections than just our collections! We answer hundreds of reference questions every year and offer class instruction and research assistance for Lehigh faculty and students. We are also open to scholars and community researchers. We host events, open houses, and exhibitions throughout the year. Please contact us today! 

Local history, Lehigh University collections, and photographs are generally available the day of your visit. We are located in Linderman Library 3rd Floor West Room 342, the Bayer Galleria. We are open by appointment Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m and are open for walk in consultations.

Research Services

Lehigh History Resources

Information and resources on Lehigh's role in engineering, sciences, education, arts and humanities, leadership and entrepreneurship.

The Epitome Yearbook

Lehigh's student yearbook, published since 1875.

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The Brown and White Student Newspaper

The Lehigh University student newspaper, published two times a week continuously since 1894.

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Course Catalogs

Listings of classes offered by the University, published annually since 1866.

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Alumni Bulletins

Stories and updates regarding Lehigh Alumni, published since 1913.

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Commencement Programs and Addresses

Publications distributed at graduations listing speakers, graduates, and events.

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Founder's Day Programs

Publications distributed at Founder's Day events, honoring Lehigh's founder Asa Packer.

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Lehigh Student Publications

Publications written by Lehigh students including the Burr, Bachelor, Review etc.

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Theses and Dissertations

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations written by Lehigh graduate students as part of their degree program.

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Digital Special Collections

Digitized and born-digital material from the holdings of Lehigh Libraries Special Collections.

World map by Abraham Ortelius

New Resource

16th and 17th Century Atlases

Featured works from the collection of Lehigh alumnus Duncan Payne '63.

Historic photograph of The Clayton University Center at Packer Hall

Lehigh Photograph Collection

Over 20,000 digitized photographs related to Lehigh University.

Title page of Lehigh's Shakespeare First Folio

Rare Books

Digitized rare and historic books held by Special Collections.

Letter written by George Washington

I Remain

Autographed letters collection including letters, manuscripts, and ephemera from over 400 writers throughout the centuries.

Local History

Material related to the history of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.

Photograph of Lee Iacocca

Speeches of Lee Iacocca

Collection of 500+ speeches delivered by Lee Iacocca '45 during his time as CEO of Chrysler and after his retirement.

Medieval Manuscripts

Digitized handwritten medieval books, leaves, and fragments. This collection was created as part of the CLIR funded Bibliotheca Philadelphiensis with the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL).

Greetings from Bethlehem postcard

Postcards

Over 1,200 digitized postcards related to Lehigh and the Lehigh Valley. Many of these postcards are part of a gift from the South Bethlehem Historical Society.

Illustration of the East River Bridge

Digital Bridges

A collection of over thirty representative historical bridge engineering monographs, manuals, and artifacts. This project was underwritten in part by Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered through the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Library's NETShare program.

Illustration of a canal ice boat

Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company

A project to digitize the maps and drawings of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company held by Lehigh University's Special Collections. This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Black and white photograph of Fritz Engineering Laboratory

Fritz Laboratory Reports

Reports documenting research conducted at Lehigh's Fritz Engineering Laboratory between 1937 and 1997.

Football between Lehigh and Lafayette helmets

Athletics Materials

Team photographs, football programs, and athlete scrapbooks.

Stereograph of the Brooklyn Bridge

Stereographic Photos

Side-by-side photographs that can create a three-dimensional image when viewed through lenses.

Current Exhibit

Rediscovering Miles Rock

Featured Exhibits

Where Do We Go from Here?: Selected Maps and Atlases from the Duncan Payne and Lehigh Libraries Collections

Where Do We Go from Here?: Selected Maps and Atlases from the Duncan Payne and Lehigh Libraries Collections

Manufacturing A Narrative About Work: Labor Fiction Inspired by the Industrial Age

Manufacturing A Narrative About Work: Labor Fiction Inspired by the Industrial Age

No Postage Necessary: Views of the Postcard World

No Postage Necessary: Views of the Postcard World

Transfers and Gifts

Donate to Special Collections

Make an impact by growing our collections. Help support Special Collection.

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Transfer Material

Have Lehigh materials that belong in the archive? Find out how to preserve institutional history.

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Friends of the Library

Become a Friend of the Lehigh University Libraries. Enjoy lectures, events, and borrowing privileges.

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Contact Us

Get in touch with Special Collections via

  • Phone: 610-758-4506
  • Email: inspc@lehigh.edu
  • Mail: 30 Library Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Lois Fischer Black: Director of Library Special Collections

lob206@lehigh.edu 610-758-5185 Location: Linderman Library Meeting room: Room 341A

Ilhan Citak: Archives and Special Collections Librarian

ilc4@lehigh.edu 610-758-4506 Location: Linderman Library Meeting room: Room 341

Alex Japha: Digital Archives and Special Collections Librarian

asj316@lehigh.edu 610-758-5337 Location: Linderman Library Meeting room: Room 341

Eric Luhrs: Digital Access Librarian

erl321@lehigh.edu 610-758-3817 Location: Linderman Library Meeting room: Room 046

Eunice Rankin: Collections Assistant

eur2@lehigh.edu 610-758-4895 Location: Linderman Library

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