The Special Collections Department consists of rare books, archives, and a few manuscript collections, which relate to the history of medicine. The core of the rare book collection was purchased from Dr. Morris Saffron, and is rich in works on both dermatology and the history of medicine. Three other collections of note are: the Frank B. Norbury Collection (neurology and psychiatry); the Kemper/Buckmaster Collection (a 19th-early 20th century working physicians collection); and the William Moore Collection (homeopathy and popular medical texts). The archives consist of 334 linear feet of material dealing with Southern Illinois University's School of Medicine. A few manuscript materials are housed in special collections, mostly related to the central Illinois region. Reference service is available both in person and by phone. The hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Photocopying is by staff at their discretion.

The total number of volumes in the collection is 5,188. Current information on dates of publication: incunabula, 0; 16th century, 13; 17th century, 26; 18th century, 138; 19th century, 1,112; 20th century, 1,242. Archival size: 334 linear feet; manuscript collection: 11; photographs, 878. All rare books are available in the online catalog, and an online finding aid is available for archival materials. The collection also includes some oral histories.