Special Collections comprises various thematic collections including both primary and secondary sources collected from outside of the University to support interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Some of the thematic collections include

1.a. Western Rare Books Collection (dated. 1588 – pre-war)

            1.a.i. Hankow Collection

            1.a.ii. Morrison Collection

            1.a.iii. Charter Collection

1.b. Hong Kong Collection (Hung On-To Memorial Library, est. 1974)

            1.b.i. Governmental Reports (d.1842 –)

            1.b.ii. selected Hong Kong published materials under Book Registration Ordinance Cap. 142

            1.b.iii. Electoral Collection

            1.b.iv. Newspapers & Magazines (microform & prints)

1.c. Corporate and Personal Manuscripts Collections (selected)

            1.c.i. Palmer & Turner Architectural Collection

            1.c.ii. Frank Fischbeck (FormAsia) Photographic Collection

            1.c.iii. Luke Him-Sau Architectural Collection

            1.c.iv. Chinese Merchants Collection

            1.c.v. Deacons Law Firm Collection

            1.c.vi. Fang Yim-Fen's Film Song Manuscripts

            1.c.vii. Ngai Mum Commercial Radio Drama Collection

            1.c.viii. Evelyn Waugh's Spectator Manuscript

            1.c.viiii. Anthony Lawrence's Journalistic Collection

            1.c.x. Basil Pao's The Last Emperor Photographic Collection

            1.c.xi. Doming Lam Music Collection

1.d. Belt and Road Hong Kong – China Relation Collection

1.e. Medieval Manuscripts

1.f. Collection of Signed First Editions (Hong Kong and Overseas authors)

2. Search Our Catalogues

Special Collections follows the international standards and best practices by implementing two separate finding aids/catalogues, namely ALMA and ArchivesSpace, for managing published materials and manuscripts collections respectively.

2.a. FIND@HKUL (for Books and other Publications)

2.b. ArchivesSpace (for Corporate and Personal Manuscripts)

3. Using and Access to Special Collections

            All materials in Special Collections are for on-site use only and fully accessible through reservation of research desks and advanced appointments. Advanced bookings are required for access to some of our materials with special conditions attached, i.e. manuscripts and rare books collections. Please consult our Access Procedures for the following

            3.a. Making a Reservation

            3.b. Opening Hours

            3.c. Our Location

            3.d. Accessibility

            3.e. Digital Access

4. Digital Repository

            Some of our collections, especially those audio-visual, rare, oversized and fragile materials, are digitised and digitally accessible via the Digital Repository through the HKU Libraries.

5. Copyright and Citation

            Special Collections welcomes researchers to take photographs of the materials consulted for non-disseminative, private study only. Please consult our staff members on-site or on libspec@hku.hk for copyright, citation and fees if you need to reproduce any particular materials for academic and commercial purposes, especially for publication and public exhibition.

6. Application for Exhibition and On-Site Filming

All materials in the Special Collections are not for loan in general, but we welcome applications for using our materials for internal exhibitions, filming and other outreach activities, depending on the condition of individual physical material, assessment of the proposal, as well as the security and environmental condition of the exhibiting area. Advanced applications with detailed planning on preservation and security for exhibition and filming are required, and certain fees will be incurred. Please contact us libspec@hku.hk for specific details.

7. Acquisition and Donation

            We acquire our collections mostly through the Book Registration Ordinance (cap.142), private donations of personal and corporate papers, and sometimes budgeted purchases. Please contact our Head of Archives and Special Collections on libspec@hku.hk if you are interested in supporting the Special Collections.