Current Special Collections Exhibitions

Celebrating Labor and Local Workers with Special Collections On View

Labor is woven into the history of Delaware—shaped by the people whose skill, dedication and advocacy built industries, strengthened communities and helped define the region.

In honor of Labor Day, this pop-up exhibition from the University of Delaware Library’s Special Collections explores the history of the Chrysler Newark Assembly Plant and the Delaware workers who powered its success for decades.

Hallowed Grounds: Monuments and Memorials to Abraham LincolnOn View

Organized in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Hallowed Grounds draws from the Lincoln Club of Delaware’s Abraham Lincoln Collection in Special Collections to explore how and why Lincoln is honored and remembered across generations. Through books, event programs, menus, maps and ephemera, visitors are invited to explore the many shrines and tributes to Lincoln across our land and reflect on the unique place he holds in American memory. 

Personal Lives: Staff Selections from Special Collections On View

In Personal Lives: Staff Selections from Special Collections, visitors are invited to explore collection materials chosen by individual staff members that highlight a personal connection, interest or story. From new acquisitions to old favorites, the items on view offer a window into the people behind Special Collections and the meaning they make from the collections in their care.

Where Do We Go From Here?: The History and Future of Sex Education in the United StatesOn View

Where Do We Go From Here? The History and Future of Sex Education in the United States explores this complex history through a wide range of materials spanning from the early 20th century to the present. The exhibition brings together school curricula, legal documents addressing the implementation of sex education in public schools, as well as advice books aimed at both parents and adolescents. These materials reveal how public understanding of sex education has evolved over time and how deeply it has been influenced by changing social attitudes, policy decisions, and cultural expectations.