The following collections are open to the public in the Study Centre:

Graphic arts

All items in the graphic arts collection are located in the Study Centre: graphic reproductions, drawings, illuminations, manuscripts, facsimiles.

Historical photographs

The extensive collection of historical photographs is also available to consult in full in the Study Centre. The press photo archives of the agencies Presse Diffusion Lausanne and Actualités Suisses Lausanne are kept at the Collection Centre in Affoltern am Albis.

Numismatics cabinet

The numismatics cabinet includes the numismatic collection and the specialist library. In addition to coins and medals, there are banknotes, securities certificates, credit cards and coin dies available to view.

Textile archives

A selection of more than 4,000 items from the textile archives of the Zurich silk industry is available for study and inspiration. At the heart of the collection is the textile archive of the company Abraham AG, which offers insight into the textile and fashion world of the 20th century. It includes collection reference books, swatch books, piece goods, fashion photographs and Lyons sample books. The study collection features swatches, textile designs, Jacquard cards, bobbins, textbooks on textiles and design patterns from the company archives of Robt. Schwarzenbach & Co. AG, Gessner AG, Weisbrod-Zürrer AG, Heer & Co. AG, Stünzi, Trudel, Zwicky & Co. AG and Käser, and from the Swiss Textile College.

Archaeology

The study collection comprises more than 250 objects from the archaeology collection, providing an overview of all prehistoric and protohistoric eras throughout the entire territory of present-day Switzerland. It includes a number of objects bearing Latin inscriptions, which are available for use by secondary schools for teaching units. Training sessions using the archaeological materials can be conducted on site in partnership with universities.