An administrative head of Special Collections has existed since a Special Collections Department was created in 1963. Before that date, there were separate administrators, reading rooms, and vaults for rare books and for two endowed special collections (Ayer, Wing). For thirty two years (1931-1962), Gertrude Loop Woodward administered the Rare Book Room. Heads of Special Collections (titles vary) since 1963 have included Colton Storm, 1963-1966, Matt. P. Lowman, 1966-1971, John Tedeschi, 1970-1981, Jean Donaldson, 1982-1986, Carolyn Sheehy, 1986-1988, and Robert W. Karrow, 1989.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, statistics, lists, etc., of the administrators of the Rare Book Room and the Special Collections Department and Section, dating from 1931.