Perkins Library has two special collections that contain materials relevant to the study of the Great Plains. The Brown Western Americana Collection, located in the library classroom (Room 206) consists of approximately 1,200 books, some from the 19th century but most published in the first half of the 20th century. The collection contains many classics of Great Plains literature and history. The Gerald R. and Susan S. Holcomb Lewis and Clark Collection contain about 150 volumes. The Holcomb Collection contains every important book published on the Lewis and Clark Expedition since the 1890s.

Additionally, Perkins Library supports the study of the Great Plains through its general book and journal collections, including such journals as Great Plains Quarterly and Great Plains Research. Library databases such as Academic Search Premier, BioOne, netLibrary, ebrary, World History Collection, and especially JSTOR contain large numbers of journals articles relevant to members of the Great Plains Coalition.