UCLan Library Special Collections include the Livesey Library Collection of the British National Temperance League with many titles dating from the 1830s when Preston was the 'Jerusalem of the Teetotal Movement'. The collection is a rich source of nineteenth century social history. It has many original images in its magic lantern glass slides collection.

The University Archives date from 1828 and have unexpected collections on astronomy, Guatemala banana plantations and the social and local history of Lancashire. The Design Collection contains many knitting and dress making patterns as well as catalogues such as Habitat, Next, Argos and Index. We may have the only collection of Millennium ephemera in Britain, including Sir Cliff Richard's recording of the Lord's Prayer sung to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne'.