Special collections
The University Library (UL) has a number of special collections, including fine and interesting manuscripts, incunabula, and old prints. The UL owns about 32,000 titles in old prints (from before 1801), including a Blaeu atlas and some works by Desiderius Erasmus.
A large part of the special collections came with the former Theologische Faculteit Tilburg (1967-2005) to the university. For example, the collection of the Capuchin Fathers including their collection of manuscripts, incunabula, and valuables ended up in the UL, as did the collection of the former Grootseminarie (major seminary) in Haaren, which also contains a collection of publications in fields such as sociology, history. and anthropology.
The special collections also include an important selection from the former library of the Augustinian Institute in Eindhoven, with translations of the works of philosopher and church father Augustine, commentaries, biographies, et cetera. Also special are more recent collections, such as the Charles Dickens collection of writer Godfried Bomans, the library collection of the former Katholieke Filmactie (Catholic Film Action) and a collection of children's books from the 18th , 19th, and 20th centuries of the Buijnsters-Smets couple.
From the special collection in the library of the university (pictured above)
The UL also houses the Brabant Collection, a unique collection of books, periodicals, manuscripts, prints, maps, newspapers, and photographs on Brabant’s past and present.
More about history and academic heritage
The Tilburg University academic heritage is a very diverse set of archives, visual materials, collections, devices, recorded stories, et cetera that relate to the history of the university.