Special Collections

Ouachita Baptist University feels a responsibility for preserving unique materials which document life in this region. The university bears that responsibility in the sense that all educational institutions must contribute to the preservation and transmission of culture.

In order to support the University’s Christ-centered, liberal arts academic program as well as the Library’s dedication to providing access to recorded knowledge and information, Special Collections’ mission is to contribute to the preservation and transmission of culture by identifying, protecting, and making available materials of enduring value that document life on the University campus, in Clark County, and in the state of Arkansas.

Riley-Hickingbotham Library's Special Collections houses the institution's own historical materials. Among other treasures are the papers of Senator John L. McClellan and the Thase Daniel collection of wildlife photography and field notes. In addition, Special Collections serves as the official depository for the archives of the Clark County Historical Association and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. In conjunction with the latter, the university has gathered a number of collections covering Arkansas and Baptists, particularly Southern Arkansas and Southern Baptists.

See Policies Governing Special Collections Use to learn more about access to these collections.