Richard B. Russell Jr. Special Collections Libraries Building

10/15/2026

This year marks the 225th anniversary of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, UGA's oldest and largest college, founded in 1801. UGA's first students took classes in Greek, Latin, physics, astronomy, and mathematics, with President Josiah Meigs as the sole instructor. As a sign of its humble beginnings, classes were taught in a makeshift wooden building prior to the construction of Old College in 1806. That building was initially known as the Franklin College, in honor of Benjamin Franklin, who served as Georgia's colonial agent prior to the American Revolution. In its first several decades, the name Franklin College was synonymous with the University of Georgia.

Today, Franklin offers over 250 degrees, programs, and certificates in the arts, humanities, and sciences and commits over $100 million annually in total research expenditures. It is also home to 21 language programs and over 70 study abroad opportunities across five continents. Three of UGA's most popular majors fall within the Franklin College: biology, computer science, and psychology, and the college boasts a community of 100,000+ living alumni. Happy 225th to Franklin!

10/12/2026

The spooky season moment you have been waiting for will soon return. Join us for a special outdoor viewing of the 1958 horror classic "The House on Haunted Hill" on the Special Collections lawn on Oct. 22. You bring your picnic blanket or lawn chair, and we'll provide the popcorn. No fraidy cats allowed!

10/12/2026

Jason Hasty, our UGA Athletics History Specialist, will give a talk about the history of Sanford Stadium this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Monroe City Hall.

09/30/2026

This weekend, support the UGA Libraries at the Decatur Book Festival! In addition to the Lillian Smith Book Awards ceremony, hosted by the Hargrett Library in partnership with the Southern Regional Council and Georgia Center for the Book, five University of Georgia Press authors will participate in book talks. And be sure to stop by the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame and UGA Press booths!

09/25/2026

Did you ever wonder what a student docent does at Special Collections? Here's a look behind the scenes from Katie!

09/21/2026

These documents and transcripts are all now freely available through the Digital Library of Georgia

“Finding Their Names” digitizes thousands of historical records, giving descendants and researchers new ways to uncover stories buried in archival collections.

09/18/2026

From the field to the archive!

Georgia Football wore this all-white alternate uniform on Saturday, and we now have an example to preserve in the Georgia Bulldogs archive.

09/12/2026

Many thanks to the Jacksonville Bulldog Club for inviting Jason Hasty, our UGA Athletics History Specialist, to speak at their weekly meeting.

09/09/2026

From Hollywood to Athens, GA, students and friends of UGA Libraries got the celebrity treatment today, thanks to Nancy Ellison, the portrait photographer to the stars whose work is currently on display at the Special Collections Libraries. Ellison will talk about her life and work Thursday night at 6, so be sure to mark your calendar!

09/09/2026

In collaboration with the UGA Archaeology Lab and other partners across the state, we are proud to be a part of the "Many Eyes on the Road to Revolution in Colonial Georgia," funded by a $743,658 National Endowment for the Humanities grant. Through this three-year project, important historical documents and cultural objects will be preserved and digitized through the Digital Library of Georgia. In addition, we will create exhibits at the Georgia Capitol Museum and other historical sites and journey kits that will enable children throughout the state to experience history hands-on in their classrooms.

Read more at the link in the comments.