Unique treasures & hidden stories

The library’s Special Collections offer a unique window into history – from medieval fragments and early printed books to photographs, maps, jazz recordings and much more. The collections span centuries, with materials dating back to the 9th century and the earliest printed books from the 15th century. The aim is clear: to preserve, catalogue and communicate these sources so that researchers and students can access them, either physically or through digitisation and dissemination in relevant academic contexts.

“We continuously work to expand and strengthen the collections with unique materials that exist in only a few places. What makes Special Collections particularly vibrant is the parallel focus on communication and on making the materials accessible,” says Jakob Povl Holck, research librarian.

Developing the collections remains a key priority. An important chapter began in 1968–69, when the library acquired a substantial book collection from Herlufsholm School, which today forms a foundation for both research and teaching across disciplines. More recently, the library has acquired books from the art historian Marita Lindgren-Fridell. This latest acquisition was made possible through funding from the Augustinus Foundation and the Louis-Hansen Foundation, further strengthening the value and use of the collections.

At times, the collections also reveal unexpected stories. This became evident when it was discovered that several historical books contained toxic pigments in their bindings – a finding that attracted international attention and demonstrates how even older materials can generate new knowledge across both the humanities and the natural sciences.

Watch a video about the “poison books”:

Special Collections works strategically with digitisation, cataloguing and communication to ensure that often fragile materials can be used in teaching, research and public engagement. New technologies such as multispectral imaging and artificial intelligence are being explored to uncover hidden or hard-to-read texts and to present the materials to a wider audience.

The collections are therefore not only an important part of our cultural heritage, but also a dynamic element of the library’s work, where strategic acquisitions, communication and curiosity go hand in hand - and where even an old book can hold entirely unexpected stories.

External funding plays an increasingly important role in activities related to the library’s Special Collections, whether for acquisitions, digitisation, preservation or other relevant initiatives. Grant applications open up new perspectives across multiple academic disciplines. In general, the large private collections acquired by the library illustrate how strategic acquisitions can enhance both the value and the use of the collections.