The Health Sciences Libraries Rare Books Collection and Special Collections are located on site in a closed stack environment. The Rare Books portion includes all pre-1850 imprints. The Special Collections portion includes all 1851-1890 imprints plus selected imprints to 1914. The scope of the collections is broad, with significant holdings in teratology, pediatrics, anatomy, physiology, and ophthalmology. These historical collections are supported by journal and monograph secondary source materials located in our open collections. All of the Rare Books Collection and selected Special Collections materials are Library Use Only. These collections are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., appointment recommended. Staff-mediated photocopying is permitted on a case-by-base basis, as is special treatment by the Photography Unit of the Health Sciences Center for Educational Resources.

The Rare Books Collection has 2,011 titles, including 3 incunabula. The chronological breakdown of this collection is: 16th century, 73; 17th century, 198; 18th century, 623; and 19th century, 1,117. The Special Collections has 1,528 titles. All holdings are fully cataloged.