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 Moore and is housed in the McFadden Room, dedicated for Hugh Paul McFadden.

DeSales University Faculty Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles and monographs comprise the published works of DeSales faculty. Abstracts of the publications and photos of the faculty members are included wherever possible.

Salesian Collections
Housed in the McFadden Room on the second floor of the Trexler Library, this collection contains books by and about St. Francis DeSales and St. Jane de Chantal.

Salesian Center Collection
Located in the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture, this collection contains an assortment of faith centered literature in various formats, including books, journals, DVD's, and more.

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.