The Robinson Library, named as a tribute to bookseller and benefactor Philip Robinson, constitutes the main campus library of Newcastle University. The library supports the University's mission by providing information resources and services in a user-focused environment. The Special Collections department accomplishes this by collecting, preserving, promoting and facilitating access to often rare or unique primary source material and historic secondary texts in order to support the teaching and research needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic staff and researchers outside the academic community. It seeks recognition of the regional, national and international significance of important collections and its activities include collection development, exhibitions and outreach services. We have over 100 collections of material which range in scope from rare books and archives to woodblocks and illustrations. Our collections span in date from the mid 13th century to the 21st century, however the majority date from the 18th to 20th century and have been built up through bequests, gifts, long-term deposits and acquisitions.