Special Collections

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 to visit Special Collections, but please call ahead at 904-255-2665 if you have specific research requirements or will require extra assistance.

Reel to reel digitization equipment in the Memory Lab at Main Library

Memory Lab
Convert photographs, home movies, cassettes, and records to digital format.

Visit the Memory Lab

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

Special Collections Tour
Take a tour of Special Collections at the Main Library, including the Memory Lab and the Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection.

image of a map from the Ansbacher Map collection at Jacksonville Public Library

Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection Tour
Learn about the maps featured in the Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection. Highlighted is regional information about the Timucuan natives, the St. Johns river and Fort Caroline.

Schedule Tour

illustration of a tree made up of words describing genealogy

Genealogy Consultation
Consultations are available to help with genealogy questions for beginners to experienced family researchers.

Be the first to know about upcoming History Chats and more!

Primary 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.

Florida Collection

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

Genealogy Collection

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

Holocaust Collection

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

Community Collections

African American Digital Community Archive

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

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.

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.