You can search for titles in the Rare Books Room through the library catalog. Just make sure to select "Rare Books Room" from the drop-down menu to the right of the search box.

You can view a sampling of photos from the Rare Books Room by visiting see.evergreen.edu/rare_books

Visit us in person during our drop-in hours!

The Rare Books Room will be closed (access by appointment only) during break and eval weeks.

Monday: 9:00am-7:00pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Thursday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 3:00pm-6:00pm

Contact us via email or by phone.

Email: rarebooks@evergreen.edu

Phone: (360)867-6625

Q: What is this place?

A: The James F. Holly Rare Books Collection, located in Library 3302, houses a miscellany of odd, old, and beautiful books. Named in honor of the College’s founding Dean of Library Services, the James Holly Collection testifies to Evergreen’s commitment to the preservation of history and culture through the art of the book. The collection is comprised of handmade and small press books, important first editions, miniature books and hand-printed ephemera, as well as trade books that are both rare and beautiful to look at, touch, and read. We also collect books with regional content and themes, including Northwest authors, Northwest history, and diverse antiquities donated by people who live in the Northwest region. We also provide a home for books that are too fragile to circulate, like pamphlet-type books and older paperbacks (such as are found in the Norman Schaefer collection).

Q: What makes a book “rare”?

A: There are several factors that might contribute to a book’s designation as “rare,” including: scarcity due to limited print run or age, having been hand-printed and/or bound by hand, signed by the author or illustrator, being a first edition, having been owned by a well-known or locally significant person, etc. Check out this site for more basic information: https://www.biblio.com/book-collecting/basics/what-makes-a-book-rare/

Q: Are there any rules for entering the Rare Books Room?

A: Yes. We ask that you leave any food, drink, and backpacks outside the room or with the staff member while you browse the collection. Allow staff members to retrieve and shelve materials for you. Wash your hands before touching the books and be kind to the bindings. We are here to help you handle these objects! Rare books cannot be checked out or leave the Rare Books Room.

Q: Can I touch the books?

A: Please allow staff members to retrieve and return books to the shelf. You are welcome to touch the books in the collection, but we recommend washing your hands first. For fragile, old, oversize, or deteriorating books, a staff member can help you open and turn the pages.

Q: What is the oldest book in your collection?

A: The oldest books in our collection include the following titles:

• Suites des remarques nouvelles sur la langue françoise by Dominique Bouhours (1692)

• Histoire du roi Henri le Grand by Hardouin de Péréfixe de Beaumont (1749)

• An Universal Etymological English Dictionary by Nathan Bailey (1757)

• The Spectator by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele (1765)

• A poetical translation of the works of Horace, with the original text, and critical notes collected from his best Latin and French commentators by Horace and Phillip Frances (1765)

• The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, gentleman by Laurence Sterne (1767)

• A sentimental journey through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne (1769)

• The works of Laurence Sterne : complete in eight volumes (1790, volume 6)

• Familiar letters to a gentleman, upon a variety of seasonable and important subjects in religion by Jonathan Dickinson (1792)

Q: What is your favorite book in the collection?

A: We all have our favorites! Ask our staff member at the desk to tell you theirs.