The heart of the University's rare book collection remains the library of the original South Carolina College, books purchased or donated during the early nineteenth century. This library was particularly strong in general and classical literature, modern history, travel books, and natural history. With later additions, these core collections illustrate the history of the printed book and its cultural role from the invention of printing to the twentieth century.
- Two Hundred Years of USC's Libraries
- Printing, Renaissance and Reformation
an exhibit on the transition from manuscript to print, including the
Nuremberg Chronicle - teaching collections on the early history of the book:
- Bibles and prayer books, including the King James Bible
- Renaissance maps, including the John Osman Collection of Braun & Hogenberg City Views and Blaeu's Grande Atlas (from the Kendall Collection)
- Exploring Africa
- Brazil, The Quincentennial Exhibit
- Mexico, from the books of South Carolina College
- the Samuel Egerton Brydges Collection
- the James Willard Oliver David Hume Collection, including theTreatise of Human Nature
- modern fine printing, including the Doves Bible
This library is a congressionaly designated depository for U.S. government documents. Public access to the government documents collections is guaranteed by public law.