Core Collections

At the heart of the Newberry is a set of collection strengths that have continued to grow over many decades, attracting scholars and other readers, and serving as the focus for our research activities. This core involves original sources in a variety of formats, such as books, manuscripts, maps, images, and music. In most cases it is supported by secondary materials, including monographs and periodical literature. The core collections are not completely distinct from each other but rather intersect and overlap at many points.

Learn more about the Newberry’s collection strengths:

• American History and Culture
• American Indian and Indigenous Studies
• Chicago and the Midwest
• Genealogy and Local History
• History of the Book
• Modern Manuscripts and Archives
• Maps, Travel, and Exploration
• Medieval, Renaissance, and Early Modern Studies
• Performing Arts
• Postcards
• Religion

To explore the collections in more detail, consult our Catalogs and Guides. See also our Research Guides to learn more about the breadth and depth of the collections. Further, the Newberry’s own Digital Resources and Publications directly involve our core collections.