Special Collections and University Archives

Special Collections

Special Collections are library materials that are housed separately from the general library collection for reasons such as form, subject, fragility, and value. Special Collections materials may not be checked out. Materials within this collection may be photocopied if the Special Collections Librarian feels they are not too fragile.

There are two reading rooms for public use: the Texas Poets' Corner and the Frank M. Blackburn Reading Room. All of the books in these collections have been cataloged and can be found using Cornette Library's online catalog. The University Archives is also part of Special Collections and it houses University records and publications with restricted access. Patrons may ask at the Special Collections Desk to use materials from the University Archives and they will be retrieved for use in the Texana area of the Texas Poets' Corner. Patrons doing research with Special Collections materials must sit in the Texana area of the Texas Poets' Corner. Patrons not using Special Collections materials, but just wishing to read or study, may use the Blackburn Reading Room.

Texas Poets' Corner

Dr. Porter and her husband, Lawrence E. Scott, donated their rare book collection, art, and antique furnishings to the Cornette Library in order to establish the Texas Poets' Corner.

At the core of the collections are approximately 1,800 rare books, numerous pieces of furniture, artwork, photographs, and manuscripts.

Specific Collections

In addition, the following is a partial list of the microform Special Collections owned by Cornette Library. Most of these collections do not appear in Cornette Library's online catalog. For assistance, ask at the Special Collections desk.

  • Library of English Literature
  • Library of American Civilization
  • Selected presidential papers

University Archives

In keeping with Texas Government Code, Chapter 441, Section 186, the primary mission of the West Texas A&M University Archives is to preserve records deemed archival under the University's Texas A&M University System Records Retention Schedule. The University Archives collects, preserves in existing formats, organizes, and provides access (when not confidential) to these historically significant records. The University Archives also collects the personal papers of University administrators, faculty, staff, and distinguished alumni.

West Texas A&M University's Archives is located in the Archives Room on the second floor of Cornette Library. The Archives consists of:

Archives materials may not be checked out. Materials within this collection may be photocopied by Special Collections staff, if item(s) are not too fragile. Ask for assistance at the Special Collections Desk.