Rare Books

The items in the special collections in the Hugh Owen Library are of antiquarian value, examples of fine printing or regarded as classics. Many of these collections are held in humidity controlled locations and access to them is restricted.

Brief catalogue records are available and can be searched at: http://primo.aber.ac.uk/. The production of full catalogue records for rare book collections in ongoing. The location of the items will be shown on Primo as Rare Book Rooms 1 + 2 or Strong Room. When you have located an item you wish to consult in the Library, submit a request online.

Rare books can only be viewed in Rare Book Room 2 in the Hugh Owen Library, between 9.15 – 4.30 Monday-Thursday and 9.15 – 4.00 on Friday. Please allow 24 hours from the time of your request before calling at the Enquiry Desk. Visitors will be required to fill in an application form upon arrival at Hugh Owen Enquiry Desk on Level D of the Hugh Owen Library.

The special collections include:

• Books printed before 1701
  There are approximately 833 separate works in this collection, including a 1570 edition of Euclid (the first English version) and a 1526 edition of Hippocrates.
• Books printed after 1701.
  This collection contains some 8086 volumes. Material is considered ‘rare’ for a variety of reasons – fine copy, good plates or maps, association copy as well as being of antiquarian interest.

Thomas Parry Library

For details of the collections held in the Thomas Parry Library please see: http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/library/tp/ There may be some procedural variations in sectional libraries, please enquire.

Guidelines for viewing Rare Books

• Please use pencil only to make notes (Ink, correction fluid and pens are not allowed to be used near the material).
• Ensure hands are clean and try not to touch or handle the pages more than necessary as acids and oils in the skin can damage paper.
• Gloves do not need to be worn.
• A book pillow is available for supporting fragile, large or tightly bound items.
• Bindings should be opened as little as possible and please always support the spine.
• Eating and drinking is not permitted when consulting rare books.
• Any requests for copies must be made to Customer Services staff, and carried out by Media and Sales.
• There will be a charge for copying from rare books.