The Ohio State University

Byrd Polar Archives

The Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program (BPRCAP) collects, preserves,and provides access to historical documents concerned with polar regions. The goal of the BPRCAP is to make rare or unique historical material about polar exploration and scientific investigation available for use in the context of an active polar research environment. Historical collections contain papers, records, photographs and other forms of documentation concerning explorers, scientists and other figures and organizations prominent in the advancement of knowledge about polar environments.

Cartoon Library and Museum (CGA)

The primary mission of the Cartoon Library and Museum is to develop a comprehensive research collection of materials documenting American printed cartoon art (editorial cartoons, comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and magazine cartoons) and to provide access to the collections. It is the largest and most comprehensive academic research facility of this type documenting printed cartoon art in the nation.

William Charvat Collection of American Fiction (CHA)

The William Charvat Collection of American Fiction is the strongest research book collection at OSUL and among the strongest of its kind in the nation. Beginning with late eighteenth-century American fiction and continuing through contemporary American fiction, the Charvat Collection numbers over 60,000 volumes. The Charvat Collection also includes literary archives of such writers as Nelson Algren, Louis Bromfield, William S. Burroughs, Frederick Busch, Raymond Carver, Tess Gallagher, Karen Harper, William Bradford Huie, James Purdy, William T. Vollmann, as well as the archives of the literary journal Conjunctions.

John Glenn Archives

Prior to his retirement from the United States Senate in 1998, John H. Glenn agreed to donate his papers and memorabilia to The Ohio State University in conjunction with the formation at the University of the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy. Beginning with the first shipment of papers in December 1998, the University has received approximately 1,900 cubic feet of materials documenting the careers of John Glenn as a military aviator, NASA astronaut, businessman, and U.S. Senator. Housed at the Ohio State University Archives, the majority of the John Glenn Archives will be open to public research after the materials are processed and cataloged.

Hilandar Research Library (HIL)

The Hilandar Research Library houses the largest collection of medieval Slavic manuscripts on microform in the world. Scholars from all over the world use more than 1 million pages of microfilmed manuscript material from more than 90 different monastic, private, museum and library collections in 21 countries. The collection includes more than 4,500 Cyrillic microfilmed manuscripts, with over 1,200 from different monasteries on Mount Athos, Greece, including the entire Slavic collection of Hilandar Monastery, in addition to thousands of pages of microfilmed East Slavic manuscripts from Russia and a collection of more than 700 early Slavic printed books on microform.

Historic Costume and Textiles Collection

The Historic Costume and Textiles Collection is a scholarly and artistic resource of apparel and textile material culture, jointly administered by the College of Education and Human Ecology and the OSU Libraries. The 11,500+ holdings encompass a range of three dimensional objects such as textiles and articles of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, including national dress costume, from the mid-18th century to contemporary 21st century designers. The Collection also houses a number of period fashion magazines, fashion plates, swatch books and commercial patterns. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret textile and apparel material culture. Particular strengths of the Collection are objects pertaining to central Ohio and the U.S. fashion industry.

Medical Heritage Center (MHC)

The OSU Medical Heritage Center provides a repository for the collection, maintenance and preservation of historical records and artifacts pertaining to the medical heritage of Columbus and Central Ohio. The center’s holdings include rare books, archival collections and medical artifacts. The archive specializes in materials of prominent local health care providers, and health-related organizations of Central Ohio. Artifacts are retained by the Medical Heritage Center to exemplify the evolution of education and the practice of the health sciences. The Coleman Rare Books area contains over 8,000 volumes, including local medical history resources, reference materials, and health-related works of historical significance.

Rare Books and Manuscripts Library (RAR)

The Rare Books and Manuscripts Library houses the traditional literary and historical collections of The Ohio State University Libraries and contains over 200,000 books and over 2,100 linear feet of manuscripts. Strengths of the collection include: 17th century English drama, Cervantes, Reformation History, children's science and the William Charvat Collection of American fiction, among the strongest collections of it's kind in the nation.

Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute (TRI)

Administered jointly by The Ohio State University Libraries and the Department of Theatre, the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute collects, preserves, maintains, and makes accessible research materials pertaining to performing arts. The Institute serves as an archive for performing artists and organizations including playwrights, designers, choreographers, performers, producing professional organizations, and theatre and dance companies. All of the Institute's activities are intended to encourage a broad range of research into performance.

University Archives (ARV)

The mission of The University Archives is to serve as the official memory of the University. The Archives identifies, preserves, and makes available the documentation of continuing and historical value to the University. Available for research are not only the official minutes and records of most administrative offices and committees but also the papers of distinguished faculty and the records of many student organizations. The Photo Archives of the University Archives contains more than one million photographic images of university life from the 1870's to the present.