A small selection of original photographic prints, gravures, and facsimile-level reproductions is maintained as study collection. There are no date or nationality restrictions on the works in the collection. Examples of a wide variety of photographic processes and formats are included in the collection. Among the most notable holdings of the collection are Yosemite Valley, a portfolio of 16 original prints by Ansel Adams (San Francisco: Sierra Club, 1960) and 50 original prints by Barbara Morgan.

Records for some works are included in the library catalog. Portfolios are assigned the RARE locator and a subject classification number. Single prints are assigned the RARE PHOTO locator and are numbered sequentially as they are processed. A descriptive list of the collection is available here.