The U.S. Catholic Special Collection preserves records of the Catholic Church and Catholic life in the United States and supports the University’s doctoral program in religious studies focusing on the U.S. Catholic experience. The collection reflects the commitment of the University of Dayton to documenting the history and heritage of the Catholic Church in the United States and its intellectual and popular traditions. The collection is located on the third floor of Roesch Library.
The collection includes retrospective and contemporary works in different languages, formats, and media, as well as objects used by American Catholics in their religious practice. The collection is strong on official church documents, theology, religious orders active in the United States, school textbooks, biographies, and books and serials used or published by various Catholic immigrant groups.
Although the collection is not exclusively Marian, it is stewarded by the Marian Library's faculty and staff. We welcome requests to use the collection for personal research as well as class instruction. Visitors can request access during the Marian Library’s open hours; however, scheduling an appointment in advance is preferred.
Schedule an appointment online, email [email protected] or call 937-229-4214.
Browse the U.S. Catholic Special Collection:
Apostleship of Prayer Collection
Catholic Sisters International
Catholic Sisters International: Supplement - Religious of the Assumption
Guides to U.S. Catholic and Special Collections
Knights of Lithuania Collections
Relics and Reliquaries Collection
Religious Sisters in Health Care: The Conspicuous Love of Jesus
