Special Collections at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library contains many examples of rare and unusual books, including handmade artist's books and book objects, miniature books, fore-edge books, pop-up books, first editions, and books about books. Special Collections also encompasses the Moses Collection of scholarly fine arts books collected by former library director Horace Moses.

Some highlights of Special Collections are the 1755 Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson, History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas McKenney and James Hall published in 1848-1850, Fragments of Light II (2004) a book consisting of 7 etched glass plates, as well as publications of the Flying Fish Press.