Special Collections is the treasure trove of Ekstrom Library. Some of the treasures include: the original charter of the City of Louisville (signed by Thomas Jefferson), over one million photographs documenting life in Louisville and Kentucky and the world’s largest institutional collection of the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan).

All Special Collections materials are available for research. The staff assists researchers, provides presentations and special exhibitions and gives advice on the value and care of manuscripts, books and photographs. This area also maintains a full-service darkroom.

Special Collections exhibits photographs and rare books year-round in its gallery and reading room.