Restrictions to Access

This collection contains additional materials that are not processed and are currently not available to researchers. For information about access to these materials, contact Research and Instructional Services staff. Please be advised that preparing unprocessed materials for access can be a lengthy process.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the Library Rare Book Collection of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records #40056, University Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Acquisitions Information

Periodic transfer from the offices that create these records.

Sensitive Materials Statement

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

• Academic libraries--North Carolina.
• Chapel Hill (N.C.)--Library resources.
• Education, Higher--North Carolina--History.
• General education--North Carolina--History.
• Hanes Foundation for the Study of the Origin and Development of the Book.
• Libraries--North Carolina--Special collections.
• London, Lawrence Foushee.
• Rare books--North Carolina.
• Universities and colleges--North Carolina--Departments.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--History.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Libraries.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Library.
• University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Rare Book Collection.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--History.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--Libraries.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rare Book Collection.

• Office of the University Librarian Records (#40047)

The Rare Book Collection of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has its origins in the Hanes family's 1929 gift of a significant collection of incunabula. At the time of the gift, Frederic M. Hanes announced that he and other members of his family would continue to support the growth of a collection that would include examples of the origin and development of the book. Hanes also said he thought the University should provide an appropriate setting for such a collection. The Great Depression and World War II intervened, however, and it was not until the completion in 1952 of an addition to the Library that the University was able to establish its Rare Book Room, now called the Rare Book Collection.

When the Rare Book Room opened in 1952, it was one of the administrative responsibilities of the Associate Librarian, who administered it with the assistance of a part-time librarian and a research assistant. The first full-time Curator was appointed in 1959. Curators have included Lawrence Foushee London (1959-1975), Paul S. Koda (1975-1984), Roberta Engleman, Acting (1984-1985), and Charles McNamara (1986-2006).

The Records of the Rare Book Collection contain correspondence, memoranda, gift records, and clippings. Most of the correspondence and memoranda deal with acquisitions for the collection. There is considerable correspondence with the Hanes family, William Henry Hoyt, William Asbury Whitaker, and other donors to the collection.