Daguerreotypes were an early form of photography which did not permit reproduction therefore the images on the plates are unique. The daguerreoytypes in Special Collections have particular significance because among them are the first-known photographic images of Niagara Falls and the Clifton Hotel, taken in 1840 by metallurgical chemist and industrialist, Hugh Lee Pattinson (1796-1858) who was Gertrude Bell's great-grandfather.

There are also two daguerreotypes depicting Rome which are signed 'Lerebours'. The daguerreotypes have deteriorated: the plates exhibit signs of spotting, surface scratches, there are cracks in the glass and the plates have oxidised but they have been conserved and digitised.

The Daysh Papers include administrative material generated by the North East Industrial and Development Association, correspondence, cuttings, reports and papers covering such subjects as agriculture, production, development and employment. It includes Geological Survey of Great Britain Wartime pamphlets, Whitby Survey photographs, several reports on water resources and some material relating to the Far East, for example, a paper (with maps) on the History of railway enterprise in China.The collection also includes a draft article by Professor G.H.J. Daysh: The development of the university in relation to the development of the City, the North-East, and in some aspects, of the country as a whole. There are also many historic pamphlets, predominantly from the Eighteenth Century but also some printed in the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Centuries, such as An argument concerning the militia (1762) and several sermons. Although Professor Daysh (1901-1987) had been the Head of the Geography Department at Newcastle University (then King's College), the papers were given to the Library by Tyne and Wear Archives.

Consists of published and unpublished material covering Sir Liam's professional career and achievements as;

Regional Medical Officer, Regional General Manager and Regional Director of Public Health for the Northern Regional Health Authority (1986 - 1994);

Regional General Manager, Regional Director and Regional Director of Public Health for the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Health Authority and NHS Executive: Northern and Yorkshire (1994 -1998);

Chief Medical Officer for England, Department of Health (1998 - 2010).

The majority of material relates to his time as Chief Medical Officer, covering his major health and health care campaigns, including published reports and contextual material related to these reports.

Also includes photographs, papers, correspondence and other material relating to Sir Liam's personal life, awards and honours.

This collection is based around the personal diaries of Prof John Wight Duff, (1866-1944), at one time Professor of Classics at Armstrong College, and his wife Lizzie. This comprehensive run of diaries offers a fascinating insight into life in late 19th and early 20th Century Britain. The period covers both of the two World Wars and represents a period of social and political change within the UK. Within this collection there is also a small collection of associated correspondence, travel maps and documents, and family photographs.This collection is based around the personal diaries of Prof John Wight Duff, (1866-1944), at one time Professor of Classics at Armstrong College, and his wife Lizzie. This comprehensive run of diaries offers a fascinating insight into life in late 19th and early 20th Century Britain. The period covers both of the two World Wars and represents a period of social and political change within the UK. Within this collection there is also a small collection of associated correspondence, travel maps and documents, family photographs, and John Wight Duff's lecture notes on various classics subjects.

Previously, the Library housed a printing room, with working presses, which operated as a small publisher under the imprint 'Eagle Press'. The Eagle Press Collection contains facsimile reprints of printing manuals dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, together with the press' publications.

The Entomology Collection currently contains books on insects which were published between the late-Eighteenth and mid-Nineteenth Centuries, some of which have hand-coloured illustrations. The books are written in English, French or German, for the most part, with some in Latin.

Leonard Charles Evetts (1909-1997) was a designer and artist, and the Head of Design at Kings College Newcastle between 1963-1974 (now Newcastle University). Evetts is known primarily for working in stained glass, calligraphy and watercolour, although the full range of his design work was extensive, and included various more unusal commissions from milk cartons to ceremonial ornaments. His contribution to building and artefact conservation was also significant and within this remit he was Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Care of Churches, between 1972-81, and a member of Newcastle Diocesan Advisory Committee (on new installations and additions) for over fifty years. Over four hundred examples of his stained glass work exist in Britain, including his most ambitious work at St Nicholas, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland comprising of forty-six individual windows.

This archive of Leonard Evetts' work, kindly transferred to Newcastle University Library by his widow in 2016, comprises largely of his commission project files. These files are of great research value, containing large scale colour designs as well as sketches and commission correspondence. They span hundreds of commissions which include paintings, the design and restoration of armorials, the design of ceremonial and religious objects, and the design and execution of over 300 stained glass windows in both religious and secular settings.

In addition, the collection also includes a smaller representation of other aspects of Leonard Evetts' work including some watercolours, lettering studies and some personal family items.

This extensive collection contains 60 years of professional practice material created by the renowned architect and urban planner, Sir Terry Farrell, from his architectural education, international business operations and urban planning advocacy work. The archive features pieces from his schooldays in Newcastle and his time studying architecture at the University in the 1950s. A large proportion of the collection consists of thousands of items relating to his creation of iconic designs such as the MI6 Building in London, the Embankment Place development above Charing Cross station and Beijing South Station in China, along with a large supporting visuals library and marketing materials. Additionally, the collection also contains items relating to Sir Terry Farrell's involvement in numerous committees and advisory groups for urban development.