Weinberg Memorial Library Special Collections
The University's Special Collections include rare books (illuminated manuscripts, incunabula, and other books of the hand-press period), more recent autographed and limited edition books, a small local history collection, and personal papers.
The Rare Book collection contains, for example, an early 15th century Italian choral book, a 1481 edition of Cicero, and three Alexander Pope first editions.
Special Collections is privileged to possess a limited edition fine art facsimile of the Book of Kells, an early 9th century Anglo-Irish illuminated manuscript, considered to be one of the most famous books in the world. Other illuminated manuscripts and Medieval Studies Web Sites can be found here.
Modern limited edition books include the Rousseau collection of Easton and Franklin Press autographed first editions, and the Paula C. Snyder Children's Literature Collection.
The local history collection concentrates on 19th and 20th century published histories of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and the anthracite coal mining industry.
Publications by University faculty and alumni form an important part of the collection. Senior Honors Thesis and master's theses are also retained.
Other collections include the Joseph Polakoff collection, J.W. Roberts theater collection, Abe Plotkin collection, Paul Beining collection, Seymour and Kathy Brothman collection, and International Correspondence Schools collection.
Joseph Polakoff (1909-1996) was a University alumnus and a prominent Jewish journalist. His long career included early work for the Scranton Times, the United States Information Agency and the Atoms for Peace program. Most of his career was spent as a journalist and editor for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The collection includes a substantial run of JTA publications, Polakoff's typescript articles, reporter's notebooks, and a substantial collection of recent research material concerning the American Jewish community and Middle Eastern politics. Portions of the Polakoff Collection are open for research by appointment.
J. W. Roberts taught theater at the University of Scranton. His collection consists of correspondence, notes, playbills, and research material.
Special Collections also houses University Athletic Department Collection and the papers of former president Joseph A. Panuska, S.J.
On-line finding aids are available for some collections.
The University houses the Joseph M. McDade Congressional Collection. Congressman McDade served Northeastern Pennsylvania and the United States as a Republican member of the House of Representatives for 36 years until his retirement in 1998. The collection has not been processed and is not open for research at this time. Please contact Special Collections for further information.
Telephone: (570) 941-6341
Fax: (570) 941-7817
Email: Michael Knies Special Collections Librarian
