The Howardiana Collection and the Rare Books Collection in the Library Division are special features of the MSRC. Because the Center itself is a special collection, these can be termed "special collections within a special collection." Materials from these two collections may be requested for research, but special handling or special arrangements may be initiated, at the discretion of the Librarian, for the use of some materials. Use of rare, fragile, or valuable items may also be restricted or denied.
The Howardiana Collection contains materials on the history of Howard University, University publications, and information on the University's schools and colleges, including bulletins, annual reports, yearbooks, self-studies and course descriptions. Managed by the Archives Division as part of the University's archives, the Howardiana Collection also contains a vertical file of published information collected about University personnel and graduates.
The Rare Books collection contains rare works which are unique in a library of many first editions and exclusive materials. Several items may be the sole copy of the work in existence. Examples of rare items in the Library Division's collections include: Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, The African (1794); a collection of 18 editions of Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin in various languages; and Henry Baker's Patents by Negroes [1834-1900].