The Specialty Materials Division is divided into two sections. The first is a special map collection, containing old, handwritten nautical charts, an exquisite collection of atlases of great historical and cartographic value, covering the period from the sixteenth century to the technically innovative twentieth century. In this collection one can find the 1570 Abraham Ortelius, the first printed atlas in the world and a collection of handwritten hydrographic charts from the Amazon region, produced between 1780 and 1781, amongst many other jewels.

The second section is devoted to rare books and features works on scientific, technological, philosophical, geographical, historical and general affairs from the sixteenth century to the twentieth century, as well as a collection of albums and Navigation routes.