Baylor University’s Artists’ Book Collection includes approximately 2,000 works by artists from all around the world and representing many different techniques, materials, and artistic mediums. The collection began in 2007 with the acquisition of works by book artist Maddy Rosenberg and has since grown to a nationally recognized collection of limited-edition and artists’ books in areas of fine press, poetry, letterpress, photography, literature, handmade papers, textiles, sculpture, and many more expressions of art.

The Frances G. Spencer Collection of American Sheet Music is one of the few collections of its kind and size in the country. Acquired by Baylor University in 1965, this collection of approximately 30,000 titles was the life-long pursuit of the avid and well-respected sheet music collector for whom the collection is named. The collection includes many fine examples of first editions such as Jingle Bells and Battle Hymn of the Republic, as well as first editions of prominent American composers of the time such as Stephen Foster and Scott Joplin. Spanning from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, the Spencer collection complements other areas of study in addition to music, including Texas and American history, art, political science, sociology, theater, sports, and recreation. It is arranged in over 200 subject categories.

A collection of music manuscripts by Florentín Giménez Martínez (1925-2021).  Composer, conductor, performer, researcher, educator, recording artist, writer, and advocate for the promotion of Paraguayan culture in general, Mr. Giménez was the last representative of a 20^th century generation of Paraguayan musicians searching for a “Paraguayan sound.”  This collection was curated by Dr. Alfredo Colman, who traveled extensively to Paraguay to continue his research on issues related to cultural identity and nationalism as illustrated in the traditional, folkloric, and concert musics of Paraguay.

This collection features some 30 letters written by Florence Nightingale, perhaps the most famous nurse in Western history. Written to several different recipients between 1870 and 1891, they are largely addressed to “My dear Madame Werckner,” (Caroline Werckner) whom she had met amidst the devastation of the Crimean War.

The historical materials in this collection may contain offensive or inappropriate language or images. The music presented here is part of an historical record that reflects attitudes and perspectives from the past. Some of the images and texts may be offensive to users. Baylor University does not endorse the views expressed in this material, but provides access in an effort to provide a more complete picture of social and cultural issues of the past as reflected in American popular music.

This collection highlights some of the rare and important hymnals in the Baylor hymnal collection. From the early printings of metrical Psalms following the Reformation to early gospel and Sunday School music, each hymnal included in the collection is an essential piece of congregational song history.

Baylor’s Preaching Archives was developed in 2020 by Dr. Scott M. Gibson to support George W. Truett Theological Seminary’s Ph.D. Preaching students as well as homiletic researchers across the globe.

Featuring items written in English and Portuguese, this collection is centered on the papers of Joan Riffey Sutton, a 1951 Baylor University alumna and longtime missionary to Brazil. Sutton, who grew up a missionary child in Brazil, has composed, translated, arranged or collected a large body of Christian music, and a gift of her archives launched Baylor’s Music in Missions Collection.

The Rare Books & Music Collection out of Moody Library is home to some of the oldest and most unique items in the university's vast collections. Dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries, these works include religious commentaries, medical texts, early almanacs and a first edition of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.