Special Collections

ca. 1899 postcard showing the Swarthmore Train Station and College Campus

Swarthmore College Library Special Collections, including the Friends Historical Library, the Peace Collection, and the College Archives are open by appointment only.

Visitors to campus should use this form to schedule an appointment.
Swarthmore College students should request an appointment through this link.

Special Collections

College Archives

The College Archives hold the records of the College as a corporation, of students, student groups, classes and alumni groups in addition to prints, photographs and general memorabilia.

College Archives

Friends Historical Library

Established in 1871 to collect, preserve, and make available records concerning the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) from their origins in the mid-seventeenth century to the present, Friends Historical Library is one of the outstanding research facilities for the study of Quaker history.

Friends Historical Library

Peace Collection

The Peace Collection is the most extensive research library and archive collection in the United States focusing solely on movements for peace around the world.

Peace Collection

illustration from ancient astronomy text

Rare Book Room

The Rare Book Room houses a variety of materials including College and student publications as well as unique collections, highlighted by our growing Book Arts and Private Press Collection.

Rare Book Room