Special Collections

Special Collections at Jacksonville Public Library is a place to:

  • ask questions
  • trace your family roots
  • research the history of your home
  • explore old city maps and directories
  • and so much more!

You, your story, and your questions are always welcome.

Special Collections is located on the Fourth Floor of the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville and is open to the public during library hours. Appointments are not required but you can call ahead or book online if you need a research guide or department tour.

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History Collections

black and white photo of African American students holding books on the step of a school

African American History Collection

Discover the rich cultural influence of African Americans living in Northeast Florida.

Black and white image of the composer Frederick Delius

Delius Collection

Composer Frederick Delius began his musical career on the St. Johns River, traveling from England to Jacksonville, learning to grow oranges for his businessman father.

image of Mr. Harry Brinton, Director Jacksonville Public Library, receiving award; Daytona Beach, 1971

Digital Collections

Go beyond the wall with our Digital Collections where access to unique, rare, and fragile materials is right at your fingertips.

Image of someone turining the pages in a book of illustrations in the Florida Collection

Florida Collection

Florida history at the Main Library. Thousands of books, pamphlets, photos, postcards, periodicals, microfilm, and documents, some dating back to the 1600s.

Entrance to Auschwitz

Holocaust Collection

Cataloguing the history, events, and aftermath of the Holocaust through a variety of resources, with accounts from local Holocaust survivors.

Recreational walk of the king and queen, Indians of Florida collection, Le Moyne engraving at Main Library, Jacksonville, Fl

Le Moyne-De Bry Engravings

Le Moyne-De Bry engravings located in the Jordan & Shirley Ansbacher Gallery at  Main library.

image of the Map Room at Main library, Jacksonville, Florida

Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection

The Ansbacher Map Collection features antiquarian maps from around the world with views and plates of North Florida.

 

# Family and Local History

stacked books

African American History Community Archive

Donate your photos, personal papers, journals, manuscripts, scrapbooks, pamphlets, funeral programs, or family bibles from the Northeast Florida African American community.

image of a Florida Times-Union newspaper

Florida Times-Union Editorial Archive

Over 130,000  files containing subject and biographical data used for developing the news. Photos, clippings, brochures, news releases, and more.

decorative genealogy image

Genealogy Collection

Uncover clues to your past through census records, Duval County probate records, more than 2,000 family and county histories, and more.

person using the equipment in the Memory Lab

Memory Lab

Boxes of old photographs in storage? Home movies on VHS or film? Mixed tapes on cassette or favorite records? Convert them to an easily stored and sharable digital format!

grocery store in Springfield neighborhhood, Jacksonville, Florida

Neighborhood Collection

We’re seeking photos of historic locations, landmarks, parades, ceremonies, people, and events important to our city's history. Donate at Main Library or email copies to SpecColl@coj.net.

Talon Yearbook cover

Yearbook Collection

Donate and explore yearbooks! We're collecting yearbooks from Duval County schools (public and private), area colleges, and universities. Drop off yearbooks at the library or call (904) 255-BOOK.

Book a One-on-One Appointment in Special Collections

The Library is closed on Sundays and holidays listed on the Locations & Hours page.
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