Founders Memorial Library has its share of literary classics, but its most recent acquisitions give new meaning to the term “classic.”

The Rare Books and Special Collections department recently obtained eight medieval manuscripts, ranging in dates from 1150 to 1530. They instantly became the oldest items in the library’s collection.

Kay Shelton, program administrative assistant at the library, said students stand to gain the most from the purchase.

“In the past, students who [were] interested in art and how manuscripts were made had to go all the way to the Newberry Library in Chicago,” she said. “Now, students don’t have go all the way down there to see the real thing.”

Shelton said the manuscripts now are more readily accessible and can be seen up close without much effort from onlookers.

“In the past, there were field trips to the Newberry Library, but with students’ schedules, it is really hard to schedule field trips,” she said. “Now students will be able to come into the library and see actual manuscripts instead of taking a long trip or seeing them in some other fashion. With these being handmade, it’s really difficult to see all the little details if the manuscripts were on a Web page or if there were copies in a facsimile book.”

Three of the eight manuscripts are on display on the Founders Memorial Library’s fourth floor. One such manuscript dates back to 15th century France and depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Shelton said the manuscripts are unique to NIU.

“Because these manuscripts are handmade, no other library will have this exact same manuscript,” she said. “These are one-of-a-kind items, and they are fantastic to look at. Some of them even have gold leaf in the paintings and it’s remarkable in itself that these have survived so many centuries.”

Assistant art professor Ann Van Dijk said she can’t wait to use the manuscripts in her lesson plans.

“They are quite precious and valuable, and are very important things for students to be able to look at because they are objects in history that are of importance to students studying art, which is what I teach, but also history and history of religion,” she said. “I am really excited that the library has managed to find the funds to purchase them.”

The funds for the purchase of the manuscripts came from donations from the Friends of NIU Libraries and other donors.

Van Dijk said she is extremely thankful for their generosity.

“I just want to give them a great big hug,” she said.