The Richter Library Special Collections unit  (previously known as the Archives and Special Collections unit, or ASC) acquires, preserves, and provides access to rare and unique scholarly resources. Officially founded in 1978, Special Collections serves as a scholarly resource for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Miami, and local, regional, national, and international scholars and researchers.Special Collections houses an outstanding array of scholarly resources including collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, architectural drawings, prints, broadsides, posters, audio-visual materials, newspapers and journals, and other research materials.