The Library manages and maintains a range of unique and richly diverse material, including rare books, archival resources, historical records and specialist publications, in support of the University's learning, teaching and research activities, and those of the wider academic community.

The collections comprise both material created within the University, documenting institutional history, and material, donated or deposited by external individuals and organisations, relating more broadly to the University's origins, development and interests.

The Library aims to adopt an active approach to the acquisition of new material wherever possible in accordance with the Archives & Research Collections Statement of Principles.