The Special Collections Department is the home of the Idaho Collection, a collection of histories, biographies, reference books, government reports,  sound recordings, films, and other works about Idaho, her people, and the culture, politics, geography, and economics of the Gem State. Standard as well as hard-to-find works, long out of print, are included. The Idaho Collection also contains fiction and poetry by Idaho authors.  Idaho author Vardis Fisher is represented by a fine collection of autographed first editions. The collection is strong on state and local  histories as well as state and federal documents relating to the Idaho environment, particularly the national forests and range lands.

Works in the Idaho collection are listed in the Library's catalog.   They must be used in the Special Collections reading room. The Library also acquires second copies of many books about Idaho for its circulating collection.  They too are listed in the catalog.  The purchase of books and other items for the Idaho Collection is supported by the Library's McCain endowment.

A number of Idaho authors are represented by manuscripts in the Idaho Writers Archive.  Consult the Idaho Writers Archive website for a list of those authors.

Idaho's was the first state guide issued by the Federal Writers' Project, 1937.  Published by Caxton Printers in Caldwell, this copy is autographed by its editor, Vardis Fisher, who directed the work of the Federal Writers' Project in the state.