How are Archives and Special Collections Different from Libraries?

Archives and Special Collections hold primary sources that are unique and irreplaceable. These materials do not circulate and are usually viewed and researched at the institution. There are specific guidelines in place for how these collections are handled to avoid damage or even loss.

Libraries, however, house what are considered secondary sources, like books, textbooks, and media, and these are classified and organized at the individual level. The resources and materials held in a library are circulated and accessible to the people and communities it serves.