The library's special collections include holdings in the history of geomagnetism, volcanology, petrology, physical chemistry, and early 20th Century exploration and travel. Of particular interest are 110 vertical file drawers of scientific reprints, clippings, reports, and foreign doctoral dissertations (ca. 1880-1935).

The Archives embrace the administrative records of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (founded 1904) and Geophysical Laboratory (founded 1905); records of the research vessel Carnegie (1909-1929); and 30,000 photographs documenting DTM's World Magnetic Survey (1904-1946), in addition to other field and laboratory studies of both departments.

Finding aids to selected collections are available on the Carnegie Legacy Project web site. Inquiries about the Archives should be submitted using the form provided.