Children's Literature Research Collection · University of Minnesota Libraries

Welcome to the Children's Literature Research Collections

The Children's Literature Research Collections (CLRC) is an internationally recognized children's literature library and archive. A member of the University of Minnesota Libraries' Archives and Special Collections department, we hold books, manuscripts, illustrations, comic books, story papers, and other materials related to the creation of historical and modern children's literature, including archival materials and original artwork for 1700 authors and illustrators. For information on upcoming events hosted by the CLRC, see Events and News.

New Online Exhibit!

C hildren's Book Art: Techniques and Media

Explore the world of illustration with our newest online exhibit! Children's Book Art: Techniques and Media is an educational exhibit that takes you through the various media used by some of the country's most talented artists. From collage to watercolor to scratchboard, dive in to learn more!

Illustrations by E. B. Lewis, Gustaf Tenggren, Lauren Stringer, & Beth Krommes

Location

Elmer L. Andersen Library
222 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Today's Hours / 8:30am - 4:30pm

Email / asc-clrc@umn.edu

Unit / Directory

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Archival collection guides

Use collection guides (or finding aids) that describe a collection of archival records, personal papers, or manuscripts to locate material for your research. The guide may be a brief summary or a detailed description and inventory.

Digital collections

Search digitized images, maps, films and videos, audio tapes, rare volumes and publications, and select items from archival collections.

Libraries catalog

Explore the University of Minnesota Libraries catalog for information about rare and special books, periodicals, and other publications held by the Children's Literature Research Collections.

Collections in the CLRC

Kerlan Collection

The Kerlan Collection presently contains more than 100,000 children’s books as well as original manuscripts, artwork, galleys, and color proofs for more than 12,000 children’s books.

Borger Collection

The John Philip Borger Comic Book Collection includes Silver Age DC Comics such as Superman and Wonder Woman. The collection was accompanied by a grant donation for storage and cataloging from Faegre & Benson.

Hess Collection

The Hess Collection holds primarily inexpensive, popular literature from the 19th and 20th centuries, such as story papers, dime novels, series books, Big Little Books, pulps, and comic books.

Oz Collection

A personal collection of Oziana, other Baum-related materials, and miscellaneous children's literature collected by Laura Jane Musser throughout her lifetime.

Paul Bunyan Collection

The Paul Bunyan Collection was established in 1960 with the gift of an extensive group of books, pamphlets, photographs, and other materials. The donation was the result of many years' active collecting by the late Professor W. W. Charters.

Lionel Johnson Collection

Hundreds of books collected and donated by Lionel Johnson arrived in 2000 from Milwaukee. In all the Lionel Johnson collections include the Illustrated Treasure Island Collection, The Alice in Wonderland Collection, and the Pirate Collection.

Children's Literature Research Collections