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2025–2026 The Miami Difference
Advancing Ohio Communities

Southwest Ohio Regional Depository and Special Collections

Preserving the Past. Powering Ohio’s Future.

Sword interior photo of large metal shelfing holding files.
Advancing Ohio Communities

Southwest Ohio Regional Depository and Special Collections

Miami and Ohio

Ohio’s communities thrive when knowledge and history are accessible to all. The Southwest Ohio Regional Depository and Miami University’s Special Collections safeguard more than 2 million volumes and archival materials, giving residents, researchers, and the Miami community access to these resources. Among the treasures are the McGuffey Readers, of which Miami holds the nation’s second-largest collection. America’s most widely used 19th-century schoolbooks, the Readers were written by Miami faculty member William Holmes McGuffey. The Readers reflect Miami’s longstanding and historic role in educating Ohio and the nation. Other rare works housed at Miami include Shakespeare folios, a Gutenberg Bible, and collections that strengthen Southwest Ohio’s education, culture, and economy.

Metal and wood shelves holding books and documents in a library.

The Miami Difference

Talent That Advances and Elevates Ohio Communities.

  • Preserves more than 2 million volumes, including McGuffey Readers, Shakespeare folios, and a Gutenberg Bible, fueling teaching, research, and cultural identity.
  • Strengthens education, workforce development, and cultural programming by providing universal access to resources that advance and elevate Ohio’s communities and economy.
  • Partners with libraries, schools, museums, and state agencies to digitize and share critical records across the region.