Special Collections
We are currently working to redevelop and recatalogue our unique and distinctive Library collections as part of the School’s fire recovery activities. In the meantime, you can learn more about these collections, or request a viewing, here.
Detail from Kunstgewerbliche Schmuckformen fur die Flache XIII (c.1920), Plauen, Christian Stoll (GSA Mackintosh Library, Stoddard-Templeton Collection)
Collections A-Z
Find out more about our unique and distinctive collections below:
- Alasdair Gray
- Arts in Context
- Artists’ Books
- Arts Pedagogy
- Book Arts
- Burnt Books
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh
- Glasgow & Scotland
- Journals
- Modernist Architecture & Design
- Natural History
- Pattern & Ornament
- Stoddard-Templeton
- Talwin Morris
- Text/Image
- Theses & Dissertations
- World & Folk Cultures
Request a Viewing
All Special Collections items are listed in Discover and are available to view within our Main Library by anyone with an identified research need. Viewing is strictly by advance request only. Please note that due to collection moves, there may be occasions when we are unable to satisfy your request, but we will advise you of this when responding to your request. If you have identified a particular item you wish to consult, please complete our viewing request form
Explore Research and Creative Practice
Discover how our unique and distinctive collections and spaces have been used in creative research and practice by our researchers, students, practitioners and staff.
View & Download Our Content
We have digitised a number of items from across our special collections, which can be freely viewed online or downloaded in a variety of formats.
- Read or download selected rare books from across our collections
- Browse decorative bookbindings from our Talwin Morris Collection
- Browse cover images from our Artists’ Books Collection
- Read or download selected theses and dissertations
Re-Use & Remix Our Content
Many of our digitised volumes have been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike licence, meaning you can re-use or remix items from our collections in whole or in part, perfect for incorporating into artworks or projects.
Read Stories and Features
Learn more about our unique and distinctive collections and the fascinating stories they tell in our Treasures of GSA Library blog.
Discover the History of Our Collections
Learn about the very first volumes to enter our collection, soon after Glasgow School of Art was founded in 1845, and some of the individuals who have looked after them.
Help Rebuild Our Collections
Learn how you can help us rebuild our collections lost to fire.
