Special Collections & Archives

The Trexler Library is proud to offer the following circulating collections, in addition to several non-circulating collections from our archives.

Kerr Collection
We are honored to hold the working library of Walter and Jean Collins Kerr, both accomplished literary figures. Walter (1913-1996) was an American critic, playwright and director. Jean (1923-2003) was an American comic author and playwright.

National Security Collection
This collection of over 1,700 books contains a wide array of topics such as security, terrorism, military operations, as well as other disciplines. This material has been made possible by donors: Dr. John Behling, Mr. Cameron LaClair, Mr. Joseph C. Goulden, Mr. Sam Halpern, Mr. Eugene Poteat, and Mr. James C. Strodes all from various branches of the United States government. The National Security books are located on the first floor of the library next to the Reference collection.

St. Thomas More Collection
The St. Thomas More collection belonged to the first lawyer for Allentown College, James McFadden, and was donated by his daughter and son-in-law, Robert and Mary Anne Lohr. It primarily contains the writings of St. Thomas More.

Salesian Collections
This collection contains books by and about St. Francis DeSales and St. Jane de Chantal.

The University Archives serves as the DeSales University institutional memory and documents the key activities of our history. It is a collaboration between Trexler Library and academic departments. In addition to material related to the history and workings of the university, the Archives holds numerous special collections that are related the larger DeSales community.

To search our collections, visit our online DeSales University Archives database. This database provides archival finding aids for our collections. Finding aids are descriptive inventories of historical material that include information about the background, content, age, and format of the documents. While these finding aids describe what we have in our collection, they do not provide full text digitized versions of our material. These materials do not circulate, but you are welcome to schedule an appointment to review material in person. To do so, please complete this form. 

If you have any questions, contact the Library Director, Ed Zimmerman.