Rare Books

The Rare Book Collection at James Cook University Library is a collection of books and serials which, because of their rarity, fragility, or intrinsic or financial value, have been separated from the general collection of the Library.

There are about 700 titles included in the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library collection. Most volumes have been donated. The collection of Professor Olsen, the first warden of the University College in the early 1960s, and the outstanding collection of early Australiana donated by Sir Russell Drysdale are two  such gifts, although some items, such as the magnificent thirteen volume Birds of Australia, (1910-1925), were purchased by the Library.

The Cairns Campus Library has a small collection of rare books, mostly relating to Cairns and Cape York regions.

Material in Special Collections may not be browsed or borrowed. All material, except archives, is entered in the Library's catalogue, which can be searched using One Search.