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.
Special Collections
Special Collections & Memory Lab Closure: These fourth-floor areas are closed during November for carpet replacement. Select Memory Lab equipment is available in a staffed area of the fourth-floor atrium. The Main Library remains open for regular services.
Memory Lab
Convert photographs, home movies, cassettes, and records to digital format.
Special Collections Tour
Take a tour of Special Collections at the Main Library, including the Memory Lab and the Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection.
# 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.
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
# African American History Collection
Archival materials, books, articles, and audiovisual media illuminate the rich historical and cultural influence of African Americans in Northeast Florida and the United States.
# Florida Collection
A treasure trove of Florida history and culture dating back to the 1600s and comprising books, pamphlets, postcards, microfilm, and more.
# Genealogy Collection
Census data, family and county histories, guides to genealogical research, and more are available to help uncover clues to your past. Many resources, such as Duval County probate records, focus on Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
# Holocaust Collection
Books and other media cataloguing the leadup to through the aftermath of the Holocaust, including accounts from local Holocaust survivors.
Community Collections
# African American Digital Community Archive
A curated compilation of original material documenting history and culture of the Northeast Florida African American community. Your donations of photos, journals, scrapbooks, funeral programs, and other family records will help us preserve your story.
# Neighborhood Collection
Jacksonville’s past comes to life through photos of historic buildings, people, and events. Explore the current collection and contribute your own photos to help document our city’s history.
# Yearbook Collection
An ever-expanding collection of yearbooks from Duval County schools (public and private) as well as area colleges and universities. Help fill our shelves by donating your yearbooks at the Main Library or at your local branch.
# Mrs. Johnnie Mae Chappell
Honors and brings to light the life and legacy of Johnnie Mae Chappell, ensuring her story is permanently recognized as a part of Jacksonville’s history and as an important piece of the search for justice and civil rights.
# Remembering the Sapelo 7
A monument that honors the lives lost on Gullah Geechee Cultural Day at Sapelo Island on October 19, 2024.
Collection Highlights
# Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection
A collection of more than 200 antiquarian maps and prints dating back to the 16th century and featuring representations of Florida as well as early world maps.
# Delius Collection
Musical scores, photographs, documents, and more relating to the English composer Frederick Delius, who began his musical career while living in Florida.
# City of Jacksonville Historic Records Collection
Jacksonville’s governmental history from the 1870s to the 1960s is recorded in a collection of 372 ledgers and documents, comprising City Council, County and City Commissioners meeting minutes, ordinances and resolutions, and indexes.
# Florida Times-Union Editorial Archive
More than 130,000 files containing newspaper clippings and photos compiled by Florida Times-Union staff covering local and national news stories and biographical information.
Research Jacksonville history through the Florida Times-Union Historical, Current Collection, and Jacksonville Journal Historical Archive with coverage from 1883 through today. Study trends, issues, events, advertisements, companies and more through historical and current full newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online.
Research Jacksonville history through the Beaches Leader Historical and Current Collection with coverage from 1963 through today. Study trends, issues, events, advertisements, companies and more through historical and current full newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online.