Special Collections & Archives

The Rakow Library's special collections and archives encompass materials ranging from medieval manuscripts about glass to contemporary glass artists' papers. Special collections and archives include rare books, manuscript collections, design drawings, batch books (glass recipe books), photographs, and ephemera, as well as historic records of The Corning Museum of Glass. Currently, the Library has over 210 manuscript collections documenting glass collecting, the production and industrial design of American glass decorative art objects, individual glass artists’ careers, archaeological excavations, and glass-focused organizations. Search our extensive collections through Primo, our online discovery system, and search the finding aids for processed manuscript collections. For more information about using special collections, visit our Plan Your Research Visit guide.

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Welcome to Corelle: No Happy Accident

Corelle: practical, strong, timeless, and perfect for everywhere. As true today as it was when Corelle was first invented in 1970. With a reputation for strength well-known around the world from Corning to Australia and designs that have stood the test of time, Corelle is a household brand beloved... more

Scanning Pilchuck: 50 Years and 70,000 Photos!

I doubt there is anyone in the glass community who is unfamiliar with Pilchuck Glass School located outside of Seattle, Washington. Founded by Dale Chihuly and patrons Anne and John Hauberg, its rise from experimental workshop to international glass center is a modern-day fairytale with one small... more

Library Acquires “Phenomenal Resource” of Performance Art Records

The Rakow Research Library is delighted to announce our first acquisition of performance art documentation in contemporary glass, with the addition of the B Team Records. In 2018, B Team founder Zesty Meyers gave his collected materials on the B Team to the Rakow Research Library, which included... more

Corning Museum of Glass