Wilson Special Collections Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

History and Founding

Wilson Library is one of the most iconic buildings on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. Completed in 1929 at a cost of $625,000, it served as the university's main library until 1984, when the Davis Library opened. The library was named for University Librarian Louis Round Wilson (class of 1899) in 1956. Since 1987, it has functioned exclusively as a special collections library. The building was designed by architect Arthur Cleveland Nash in the Beaux-Arts style and is located on Polk Place at the heart of campus.

Collections and Holdings

Wilson Library is home to five signature collections of original research materials. The North Carolina Collection, created in 1930, is the largest collection in existence documenting a single state. The Southern Historical Collection, established in 1930, documents the American South through more than 15 million items and 4,600 discrete collections. The Rare Book Collection, begun in 1929, holds close to 200,000 printed volumes including medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. The Southern Folklife Collection preserves audio and visual materials related to southern folk traditions. The University Archives and Records Management Services (UARMS) collects and provides access to the records of UNC.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism/Media

The North Carolina Collection includes unparalleled holdings of North Carolina literary works, extensive maps, photographs, and a robust historical newspaper collection. The photographic archives is a major repository for historical images documenting UNC-Chapel Hill. The Southern Historical Collection documents media history through personal papers and organizational records from the American South.

Access and Usage

Wilson Library is free and open to all students, scholars, and the public for research. Research materials are served in the Special Collections Research Room on the second floor. Researcher registration is required on first visit. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.