By looking at aspects of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division's holdings ranging from religion and reform to popular
culture and literature, we have attempted to highlight the strengths of rare book holdings related to United States women's
history, to demonstrate the richness and variety of these resources, and to point out some of the division's contemporary
holdings and unique treasures. Because the Rare Book Classified Collection mirrors holdings in the General Collections, most
of the same subjects and formats are found in both and may be accessed using the same subject headings and search strategies.
Because not all of the division's special collections have online access, it is important to consult special card files and
finding aids in the Rare Book Reading Room in addition to the online catalog. While we could not touch on all subjects and
formats that might interest researchers, we hope this survey of holdings will suggest new ways in which the division's resources
can be used to complement materials found in other Library divisions to further the understanding of American women and celebrate
their complex contributions to our world.