Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library University of Virginia

History and Founding

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville is a major research library specializing in American history and literature, Virginia history, Thomas Jefferson studies, and the history and arts of the book. Special Collections at UVA trace their origins to the early 19th century — the University Archives and the earliest manuscript gift to the university (the papers of Richard Henry Lee) both date to before 1832. The first archivist was hired in 1930 when a dedicated Virginia Collection was established. The library's current building, named after longtime supporters Albert and Shirley Small, was constructed with a major gift from Albert Small (UVA alumnus, class of 1946). The building occupies 58,000 square feet across two underground floors and opened to formalize the institution's current configuration.

Collections and Holdings

The library holds more than 16 million objects, including manuscripts, archival records, rare books, maps, broadsides, photographs, audio and video recordings. It administers more than 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University Archives, and 325,000 rare books, along with approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides, and more than 250,000 photographs and small prints. Collections are particularly strong in American and British literature, Virginia history, sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, and book arts. Notable collections include the Tracy W. McGregor Library of American History, the Clifton Waller Barrett Library of American Literature, the William Faulkner collections, and rare printings of the Declaration of Independence.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The library holds the papers of many journalists and public figures, including significant holdings in African American history. The Jackson Davis Collection documents African American educational history through photographs, while the Rufus Holsinger studio photograph archive documents Charlottesville and Virginia life. Digitized collections have been shared with the Digital Public Library of America. Holdings include correspondence and personal papers of major Virginia political figures, providing primary sources for the study of media and public life in Virginia.

Access and Usage

The Reading Room is open to anyone with a valid photo ID, Monday through Friday. Registration is required. Stacks are closed to the public; staff retrieve materials for researchers. The library seats 32 researchers and maintains 12.82 miles of shelving. Many finding aids are available through the Virginia Heritage database, and some collections are digitized and available online.