Mission & Purpose
The principal purpose of The M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives is to collect, preserve, provide access to, exhibit, and encourage use of the University Libraries' unique manuscript and archival materials, the official records of the University, rare books, and printed materials. These materials are acquired by gift or purchase and serve the current and future research interests of faculty, students, and others affiliated with the University as well as other researchers from the region and beyond.
Our Collecting Areas
- New York State Modern Political Archive
- Elected officials, interest groups, and activists from New York State
- National Death Penalty Archive
- Researchers, writers, activists, and records on capital punishment in the United States
- German and Jewish Intellectual Émigré Collections
- Papers of German-speaking intellectuals who fled the Nazi regime in the 1930s
- University Archives
- Records that document the history of the University at Albany, SUNY and its predecessor schools
- Miriam Snow Mathes Historical Children's Literature Collection
- Books and periodicals for children and young adults, published in the United States between 1875 and 1950
- Business and Literary Manuscripts
- Manuscripts, records, and papers primarily related to businesses and people of New York and New England
- Political Pamphlets
- More than 2,000 political pamphlets, dating predominantly from the 20th century
- Rare Books
- Unique and Specialized Books