The Harold B. Lee Library Department of Special Collections and Manuscripts (1990-1999) collected and preserved rare and important materials including: books, pamphlets, prints, photographs, manuscripts, diaries, journals, papers, music scores, university records, etc.

In 1990 the Harold B. Lee Library Special Collections department and the Archives and Manuscripts department were combined to create the Special Collections and Manuscripts department. The Chair of Special Collections and Manuscripts was Scott Duvall (1990-1999). In 1997 Scott Duvall was appointed Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections. He acted as both department Chair and Assistant University Librarian from 1997-1999. In 1999, due to a generous donation, the department was moved to the basement of the Library and renamed L. Tom Perry Special Collections.

The materials in the Department of Special Collections and Manuscripts were highly regulated. Those that wished to view these materials were required to use the reading rooms, viewing the materials with supervision. Anyone, student, faculty, or visitor could use the materials in the Department. In 1991 the Department of Special Collections and Manuscripts was headed by a department chair who reported directly to the University Librarian. The Department of Special Collections was located on the fourth floor of the Harold B. Lee Library, where reading rooms serviced faculty, students, and visitors with the opportunity to use the artifacts in Special Collections. Between 1997-1999 the chair served as both department chair and Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections.