Fogler Library Special Collections

Fogler Library’s Special Collections Department was established in 1970 as a repository for Maine-related material. Virtually all available printed bibliographical, historical, and descriptive works on the state as well as literary titles by Maine authors are housed in this department.

Books, pamphlets, state documents, and other forms of printed material provide extensive coverage of Maine’s cities, towns, counties, people and institutions. These printed resources are complemented by a substantial body of original source material. While the collections are largely Maine-related, some material pertaining to broader subject areas, such as maritime history, are also found in the department.  The page on Our Collections provides more detailed descriptions and tips for searching for material, and highlights several Special Collections Staff Favorites.

Department Overview

Everyone is welcome in the Special Collections Department on the third floor of Raymond H. Fogler Library.  Please review our policies before coming in person to use the collection. 

Regular hours during the academic year:

Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.*
Thursday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*Special Collections closes at 4:00 p.m. when classes are not in session (during Fall Break and between semesters).

Please also note: Special Collections is closed on university holidays when classes are not in session.

During the 2018-2019 academic year, these holidays are:

Labor Day (Monday, September 2, 2019)
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 14, 2019)
Veterans Day (Monday, November 11, 2019)
Thanksgiving Break (Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, 2019)
Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25, 2019)
New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1, 2020)
Martin Luther King Day (Monday, January 20, 2020)
Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17, 2020)
Memorial Day (Monday, May 25, 2020)

For additional information about the building hours, visit the Fogler Library hours page.

Directions and parking information are available from the University of Maine web site.

Contact Special Collections

UMaine Special Collections & Archives, 5729 Fogler Library, Orono, ME, 04469-5729

phone: 207.581.1686 | email: um.library.spc@maine.edu