Special collections
Read more about our Special collections:
A selection of works and collections
Digital collections
Special Collections on Instagram
History of the Library
How to use the Special collections
Uppsala University Library can offer students and researchers very valuable and rare special collections. During the long history of the Library, large collections have been built up through donations, spoils of war, duty deliveries and purchases. The special collections are today considered as cultural heritage, which includes old prints, manuscripts, images, maps and musicalia. Thanks to requests for digital copies, more and more materials are being digitised and available online. Before you make a request, search for the materials in Alvin – platform for digital collections and digitised cultural heritage.
Materials printed before 1850 or that are a part of our special collections, such as manuscripts, pictures and maps, may only be studied at Carolina Rediviva. Please plan your visit so that we may help you in the best way possible.
- Get a library card
- Search our catalogues
- Time from request to pick-up
- More on request materials from the special collections
- Rules for use of the special collections and reading room
Useful tools:
Gustav's Hand

Digital collections

Special collections on Instagram

Exhibitions at Carolina Rediviva

The exhibition hall contains the famous Codex argenteus, as well as the earliest reasonably accurate map of the Nordic countries, the Carta Marina.
Entrance is free of charge.
Read more about the special collections materials
- Early printed books and special collections
- Manuscripts collections
- Archives
- Picture collections
- Maps collections
- Music scores collections
Exhibitions
Read more about the exhibitions at the University Library. We can also contribute with material from the collections for exhibitions arranged by other cultural institutions in Sweden or abroad. How to borrow material for an exhibition.
Codex argenteus

Codex argenteus - which means "the Silver Book" - is Sweden's most valuable book and one of the world's most famous manuscripts. It was written in Italy in the beginning of the 6th century. Learn more about Codex argenteus.
Projects
Current and earlier projects with materials in the Special Collections Division: