L. Tom Perry Special Collections

L. Tom Perry Special Collections Find us on Twitter and Instagram The L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library preserves and houses materials requiring regulation.

Because of their uniqueness, value, or fragility, these materials are given great care to protect them from damage or theft and to ensure their proper long-term use. Hence, Special Collections acquires, preserves, and makes available for use printed materials (280,000 books, pamphlets, prints, etc.) and a vast array of items comprising manuscript materials (8,000 manuscript collections including d

iaries, journals, papers, music scores, university records [including records of retired faculty], and 500,000 photographs). In keeping with the vision of Brigham Young University, all undergraduates are encouraged to have a graduate-level research experience at BYU. Special Collections wants to help in this mission by allowing all students the opportunity to research the vast collection of primary sources in its holdings. All other patrons outside of BYU including researchers from other universities are also invited to visit and do research.

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into th...
08/21/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past. We hope you have enjoyed BYU Education Week! These snapshots from Education Week in the past capture some interesting classes—and prove that continuing education has always been about learning something new, meeting interesting people, and occasionally wondering, “Wait…what class did I sign up for?” 😂

08/14/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past. It's back to school time for the kids! This early 1900s photograph taken by Edith Irvine near Mokelumne Hill, California has it all; the squirmers (blurry kids), the unhappy boys, and a photo bomber from the bushes!

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into th...
08/07/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past.
Photographer George Edward Anderson hits it out of the park with this photograph of the Spanish Fork Utah baseball team circa 1880.

07/31/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past.
In October 1971these Harold B. Lee library executives were in a happy mood as they displayed the "Catalog of the Stars" by seventeenth-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius, a valuable manuscript that was the millionth volume added to the library. From left to right Chad Flake; Donald K. Nelson; Donald T. Schmidt; and A. Dean Larsen. Special activities to mark the acquisition of the millionth volume included a forum assembly in the Fieldhouse on October 28, at which Dr. Arthur Henry King was speaker; a luncheon for persons who helped with the purchase of the manuscript; a lecture on the work; a panel discussion; and a display of the volume in the library.
Want to see the original? Come in to Special Collections and request call number 091 H489. Want to see the digital version? Click on this link:
https://archive.org/details/1ahandschriftdes00heve/page/n3/mode/2up

07/24/2026

Foto Friday! Happy Pioneer Day Utah!
What do we know about this remarkable historic photograph? Photographer- George Edward Anderson. Date - between1888-1900. Place-in front of the Salt Lake City tabernacle in Utah. People - first pioneers who came to Utah in 1847.
For a closer look at the photograph, click here: https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/GEA/id/11599

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into th...
07/17/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past.
Titled "Travelling library", this photograph is from the Helen Foster Snow Collections and was taken by her sometime in the 1930's. Chinese libraries for students and public citizens began in the late 1880's. Notice the charming boxes that housed the books.

In the news December 4, 1959. The Foucault pendulum in the BYU Eyring Science building disappears!
07/15/2026

In the news December 4, 1959. The Foucault pendulum in the BYU Eyring Science building disappears!

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into th...
07/10/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past. The pic is of a group of Brigham Young University students sketching in a field, dated Autumn 1906. Includes John Alder, Calvin Fletcher, Leo Hafen, Loren Covington, Lawrence Minor, Ray Fowler, Mertie Harris, Bessie Eastmond, Clara Clark, Bessie Spencer, and Elbert H. Eastmond (Bert).
Looks like a fun way to spend a Summer day!

07/03/2026

It's Foto Friday where we feature a historic photograph from the Special Collections archive and share a glimpse into the past. Photographer George Edward Anderson captured these miniature George and Martha Washington imposters on July 4th in Springville, ca 1889. (Call number MSS P 1 no. 16253 https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/GEA/id/8346 )

Address

1130 HBLL, Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
84602

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 9pm
Tuesday 8am - 9pm
Wednesday 8am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 9pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+18014223175

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