Special Collections houses unique collections relating to Huntsville, Madison County, and Alabama history and serves as the library system’s multimedia resource center for local history research. Although most of our collection relates to areas east of the Mississippi River, we have online databases and additional material for other regions of the country.
The Heritage Book Collection is the library’s collection of books focusing on local history and genealogy. Browse the collection in the library's online catalog. ("H" will precede the call number.)
The Zeitler Rare Book Collection is the library's collection of books deemed rare by their topic, age, or limited release. Browse the collection in the library's online catalog. ("Z" will precede the call number.)
The Microfilm Collection is a large collection of original records available in a compact form. The collection is comprised of records from multiple sources, including the Huntsville Times and the National Archives.
Vertical Files are added to by librarians and local researchers. They contain an array of photocopies and originals, corrspondence, vital records, family trees, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and more.
The Archives Collection houses rare, fragile, and unique material related to Huntsville and Madison County. Browse the collections in the Special Collections' online inventory.
Special Collections is home to hundreds of thousands of historic photographs of the people, places, and things of Madison County.
Special Collections houses hundreds of local, regional, and national maps, dating from the early 1800s to the present.
Special Collections houses a large amount of Organizational & Business Records from local philanthropy groups, lineage societies, social clubs, and more (both active and inactive).