Part of the Loyola University Libraries, the mission of the Loyola University Chicago Archives & Special Collections is to collect and preserve the history of Loyola University of Chicago and assist researchers in using the collections.

The Archives & Special Collections holds over 8,500 linear feet of collections including university records, Catholic collections, the papers of Samuel Insull and related collections, faculty, staff, and alumni papers, and the papers of former U.S. Congressmen Dan Rostenkowski and Henry Hyde.

The Rare Book Collection contains approximately 13,000 volumes with strengths in the areas of religion, philosophy, history, literature, and the history of medicine. Of particular note is the Edward A. Cudahy Jesuitica Collection, which includes a first edition of St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises as well as information on Jesuit missions and books by Jesuit scientists.