The Children's Literature Research Collections
Welcome
The Children's Literature Research Collections, home of the Kerlan Collection, holds books, manuscripts, illustrations, comic books, story papers, and other materials related to the creation of historical and modern children's literature, including manuscripts and original artwork. Find information on upcoming Kerlan events on our events page.
Search the Children's Literature Research Collections
- Finding aids
- Finding aids, also known as collection guides, help you navigate materials in the Children's Literature Research Collections, describing what is in each box to support your research. The finding aid 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.
For more information on finding materials in the Children's Literature Research Collections, including a list of archival collection guides for materials held in the Kerlan Collection, visit the search our collections page.
The Kerlan Collection Endowed Chair Fund
$2 million contribution safeguards Kerlan Collection’s future and inspires new fundraising
On Oct. 15, 2024, the University of Minnesota Libraries announced the largest gift by first-time donors in its history. The $2 million contribution establishes an endowed curatorial chair for the world-renowned Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature, which is home to original artwork and text for beloved classics like Goodnight Moon and Strega Nona, and much more.
The gift comes from a family of bibliophiles in San Francisco, Cathy and Glen Miranker, with a passion for children’s books, libraries, and Sherlock Holmes.
More about this donation and its impact
To help ensure that the Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature remains at the forefront of children's literature archives worldwide, please consider a gift to the Kerlan Collection Endowed Chair Fund.
Digital and teaching resources
Unable to visit the library in person? Explore our online resources and curated digital exhibits.
Digital exhibits
Our curated digital exhibits bring children's literature into your home or classroom.
The ABC of It exhibit catalog
The catalog for our 2019 exhibit, curated by Leonard Marcus, may be purchased from the University of Minnesota Press or downloaded for free on the Libraries' Publishing Services page.
Writing Boxes: The Reading/Writing Connection in Libraries
Download curator Lisa Von Drasek's guide for librarians teaching writing workshops to early and young adult readers.
UMedia
A limited amount of our materials have been scanned and made available to the public on the University of Minnesota's UMedia Archive. Browse our collection materials on their website.
The Kerlan blog
Read curator Lisa Von Drasek's latest children's book reviews and blog posts.
Explore the CLRC
Learn more about our collections, upcoming events, and additional ways to support the work of the CLRC and the Kerlan Collection.
Learn about our collections
Learn about the many exciting collections housed at the CLRC, including the world-famous flagship Kerlan Collection, the Hess Collection (containing story papers, dime novels, and pulps), the Borger Comic Book Collection, and others.
Search the collections
Search the Libraries catalog, and view a list of archival collections, including original manuscripts and artwork held by the CLRC.
Events and news
Learn more about upcoming events, read our newsletter, and explore other related resources.
Fund your research
Interested in researching at the CLRC? Learn about funding opportunities for visiting, available to scholars and children's book creators.
Contact us
For general reference inquiries or appointment requests please contact [email protected].
Visit
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- Note: Appointments are required to visit the reading room within these hours.
Children's Literature Research Collections
- Visit
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113 Andersen Library
222 21st Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55455 - Parking information
- Call
- 612-624-4576
- Contact the CLRC
Give to the collection
Kerlan Collection Endowed Chair Fund
The Kerlan is a leading collection of contemporary children’s literature. Learn more about how you can support the future of the collection with your gift to the Endowed Chair Fund.
Kerlan Friends
Learn more becoming a member of Kerlan Friends with an annual donation to support the mission and work of the Kerlan Collection.