Special Collections
Visit our Special Collections pages to learn more
University of Southampton holds a number of unique collections across its sites that are publicly accessible for research.
The Special Collections Division is situated on Level 4 of the Hartley Library at the University’s Highfield Campus.
There are two main areas: the Special Collections Open Access area houses the more modern printed material (which includes the Parkes Library) while the Archives and Manuscripts and Rare Books reading room is where the manuscript and rare book material is consulted.
The Knitting Reference Library (KRL) includes the published works collected by Montse Stanley, Richard Rutt and Jane Waller. These comprise books, exhibition catalogues, knitting patterns, journals and magazines.
Chawton House Library is an independent research library and study centre focusing on women's writing in English from 1600 to 1830.
Accommodated in the Elizabethan manor house that once belonged to one of Jane Austen's brothers, the library's main aim is to promote and facilitate study in the field of early women's writing.
Visit our Special Collections pages to learn more
Discover our Knitting Reference library at Winchester School of Art
Visit the Chawton House library website to find out more about resources located on site.