Special Collections

Sample Images of Special Collections holdingsThe Fogler Library 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 materials. While the collections are largely Maine-related, some material pertaining to broader subject areas, such as maritime history, are also found in the department.  Our Collections Page provides more about our collections.

A growing number of Special Collections holdings are being digitized and made available for worldwide access at DigitalCommons@Maine.edu.  Additional Maine resources are available through the HathiTrust Maine Collection.

New!  Our latest digital collection, Celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial, 1820-2020, provides online access to materials with particular relevance to the commemoration of 200 years of Maine statehood. We hope the collection will serve as a resource for all residents, students, and scholars. We are also pleased that the materials will be available to support Maine Statehood and Bicentennial Conference being held in Orono and Augusta Thursday, May 30 to Saturday, June 1, 2019.

For detailed information about our department’s manuscript collections and archival records, we recommend searching our ArchivesSpace online database.  Our Finding Aids also remain available in DigitalCommons@UMaine.

Please review our policies before coming in person to use the collection. Most of our boxed manuscript collections, newspapers, and ledgers are housed in the Library Annex. We require one week’s notice in order to make those materials available.

Department Overview

The Special Collections Department is located on the third floor of the Raymond H. Fogler Library. A member of the Special Collections staff is available to assist researchers during all open hours.

Summer hours:  Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and every other Saturday.

Please note our summer Saturday schedule.  Beginning May 12, 2018, Special Collections will be open every other Saturday until the 2018-2019 academic year resumes.

OPEN 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

  • May 12
  • May 26
  • June 9
  • June 23
  • July 7
  • July 21
  • August 4
  • August 18
  • September 1

(Closed May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 25.)

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

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

Special Collections Access Policies

  • In order to use our resources, one must sign the department register and be prepared to present a photo ID.
  • Items brought into the department must be stored and only pencil, paper, and laptops are allowed. No pens, laptop cases, bags of any kind, or purses are allowed. Coats must be left at front desk.
  • Photocopying or scanning of materials depends on the nature and condition of the material.  In most cases, non-flash photography is allowed.  Rates and policies for use of materials can be found on the Department Fee Schedule.
  • Second copies of books may be borrowed with a valid University of Maine I.D. Card, Bangor Public Library Card, or Courtesy Library Card.
  • No manuscript collections will be pulled within 15 minutes of closing. No exceptions.
  • Some of our boxed manuscript collections, newspapers, and ledgers are housed in the Library Annex. We require a one week notice in order to make those materials available.

Gift Policy

Special Collections is pleased to discuss donations of rare books and Maine-related materials which are in good condition and are appropriate to Fogler Library’s mission.  For complete information, see our section on Subject Areas Actively Collected and the Fogler Library Gift Policy.

Contact Special Collections

Inquiries regarding Special Collections can be routed to:

  • Special Collections Department, 5729 Fogler Library, Orono, ME 04469-5729
  • phone: 207.581.1686
  • email: um.library.spc @ maine.edu