Subject Specific Collections

Special Collections seeks to accrue material which relates to specialist subjects taught at DMU, in order to enhance teaching, learning and research at the University.

Catalogues for the archive collection can be found on the Archives Hub, with more added all the time. See http://archiveshub.ac.uk/contributors/demontfort.html

Most of the rare books and journals are catalogued on the main DMU Library catalogue, although more recent acquisitions are still being processed.

We have strengths in the following subjects:

Photographic History

  • Books and journals from the research library of Kodak Ltd
  • Monographs and journals from the library of the Photographers’ Gallery
  • Photography auction catalogues from the 1980s-2012 from the Wilson Centre for Photography
  • National Art Slide Library, a large collection of lantern slides on art and architectural subjects
  • Papers of a Leicester based photographer who worked on the Snapshots from Home WW2 scheme

Sports History

  • Books, journals, fanzines and magazines transferred from the International Centre for Sports History and Culture
  • Archives of the Leicester Special Olympics, 2009
  • Research notes of Professor Tony Mason
  • Archives and artefacts from the collection of England Boxing
  • Papers of Sir Norman Chester relating to football

Fashion and Textiles

  • Fashion magazines and journals dating back to the 19th century
  • Histories of costume
  • Manuals of textiles manufacture
  • Fabric and clothing samples
  • Original fashion illustrations and drawings
  • Resources relating to local textile industries
  • Examples of student work

Art, Design and Architecture

  • Books and journals relating to art, architecture, design and crafts
  • Examples of staff and student work in illustration, lithography, bookbinding, typography, product design, graphic design and architectural drawing
  • Exhibition posters and programmes

Performing Arts

  • Material relating to the Theatre Archive Project
  • Papers of stage manager Peter Streuli and playwright Bryony Lavery
  • Recordings of student performances
  • Papers of the Foundation for Community Dance (People Dancing)
  • Papers of Dance teacher Mike Huxley
  • Original musical score by composer Sally Beamish

English Literature

  • Collection of 19th and 20th century women’s magazines
  • Papers of Andrew Davies, scriptwriter
  • Papers of Bryony Lavery, playwright

Youth Work

  • Archives, books and journals from the National Youth Agency
  • Papers from the Centre for Social Action
  • Papers of the Rural Youth Network

Leicester History

  • Books and journals relating to the history of Leicester and Leicestershire
  • Postcards and images of key Leicester locations
  • Papers relating to the Pageant of Leicester, including costume designs