A relatively young institution, the University of Miami has been building its library collections in earnest for just over 40 years. Now a recent acquisition has bookmarked an important chapter for UM Libraries—the three millionth book.

The acquisition, Dialogues et Chants Royaux, is an exquisite 16th-century collection of poems handwritten in French by several authors in honor of the Virgin Mary. Bound in leather, the manuscript’s 24 calfskin pages are adorned with illuminated initial letters in red, blue, and gold, and there are four full-page miniatures. A wealthy French nobleman named Jacques Le Lieur is presumed to be the original owner, but the manuscript has passed through several hands over the last 500 years, including Henry W. Poor and William Randolph Hearst. More than an aesthetic treasure, Dialogues et Chants Royaux gives library patrons a rare opportunity to see an authentic vintage manuscript in the flesh.

“Special materials, like our three millionth book, are gems that make a visit to any library a special experience for a researcher,” says dean of libraries William Walker. “As more and more materials become available electronically, unique collections that must be experienced in person will become more important in differentiating libraries.”

Dialogues et Chants Royaux is among some 70,000 monographs UM Libraries acquires each year for all University branches combined. UM Libraries spends more than $14 million annually in print and electronic volumes—a healthy figure that Walker says has enabled the rate of acquisitions to increase dramatically over the past five years. To ensure balanced coverage, UM Libraries has contracts with vendors to receive desired imprints automatically. Other acquisitions are recommended by subject librarians, who communicate with publishers and academic societies in their fields and with faculty and students.

“Suggestions are always welcome,” Walker says.