UiT The Arctic University of Norway University Library Special Collections

About the Institution

The University Library Special Collections unit is part of the University Library at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the world's northernmost university. The University of Tromsø was established by an act of parliament in 1968 and opened in 1972; the University Library was established the same year as an integral part of the institution. Through a series of mergers between 2009 and 2016, UiT absorbed several regional colleges and became a multi-campus university spread across northern Norway, with the main campus in Tromsø.

Collections and Holdings

The Special Collections unit manages a number of private archives and curated collections with particular relevance to northern Norwegian history, religion, linguistics, and culture. Notable collections include:

• The Kolsrud Collection: Assembled by church historian Oluf Kolsrud (1885–1945), this collection includes rare antiquarian works on the Reformation, church history, pamphlets, and local historical literature. It was originally held by the Central Library for Northern Norway before passing to UiT.
• The Indigenous Collection: A freely accessible collection of materials relating to Sámi and other indigenous peoples of the Arctic region, which can be borrowed as standard library materials.

Many items from the special collections have been digitized and are accessible through UiT's digital collections portal in Oria. The library notes that most special collections require advance arrangement with library staff for viewings or borrowing.

Access and Usage

Researchers wishing to consult special collections materials must generally arrange visits in advance with library staff. The Indigenous Collection is an exception and is freely accessible. The University Library operates across ten campus locations in Tromsø, Hammerfest, Alta, Harstad, and Narvik. Digital access is available for a growing number of digitized materials.