Bolton Libraries have collected many rare and specialised items over the years and some of these are held in our Special Collections. These include:
- The Rare Books Collection, consisting of approximately 500 items, mostly books, including a wide and extensive collection of Victorian Private Press publications (Kelmscott Press, Doves Press, Vale Press). We also have a number of theological texts dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
- The Special Periodicals Collection which contains around 3000 journals and periodicals from the 18th to the 20th century.
- The Textile Collection of books, periodicals, pamphlets, articles and other published material relating to all aspects of the spinning, weaving and bleaching industries.
- The Lancashire Collection, which was formerly part of the Museum's Local Studies Collection and covers material relating to all aspects of the local, social, political, environmental, industrial and economic development of Lancashire from the earliest times to the present day.
Please note that access to these materials is supervised at all times and items are to be viewed in the Bolton History Centre. Items are retreived by designated staff in the Central Library, please ask for the Ask Bolton Libraries team. Handling restrictions apply to some items in this collection and access may be denied for security or conservation and preservation reasons.