Special Collections
The Academic Centre has a wide range of books to support undergraduate, graduate and specialized research. The number of volumes is currently 55,000 with a number of rare books and special collection donations still to be catalogued and added to the collection.
Special Collections include the Irish Collection, Manuscript Studies and Medieval Art Collection, the Australiana Collection and Rare Books, all of which are detailed below.
THE IRISH COLLECTION
The Newman College Irish collection was formed in 1924 with a bequest to the College, and it has since been augmented by the addition of several libraries of deceased priests and later acquisitions relating to Ireland.
The initial collection comprised approximately 700 books and about 300 pamphlets.
MANUSCRIPT STUDIES & MEDIEVAL ART
The Medieval and Renaissance Manuscript Studies Collection is a specialist library assembled by Emeritus Professor Margaret Manion over her career teaching and researching on the history of the book before printing. Professor Manion has kindly donated this collection of books and journals to the Academic Centre.
AUSTRALIANA COLLECTION
The Australiana Collection started with the donation of several rare items on Australian history to the Newman College Library in 1919 by Councillor John McMahon. Later in the same year, this section of the Newman Library was substantially increased with the purchase of the collection of Dr L. Bevan.
RARE BOOKS
The Rare Books Collections (pre 1880) at the Academic Centre is spread throughout various collections and locations.
Books are found in the Irish Collection, the Australiana Collection, the Loreto Room at St Mary’s College and the Old Law Library at Newman College, to name just a few.