The Oceanside Public Library is pleased to house several special collections of material. Some of the topics included in these special collections are material relating to Southern California and Camp Pendleton; local historical files, clippings and photographs along with old and rare books. These materials are located in the Helen M. Nelson Heritage Room in the Civic Center Library.

The Library also features a comprehensive Parenting Collection in the Civic Center Library Hub and the Mission Branch Library Children's area that offers material on topics such as child development, nutrition, special needs, schools and curriculum, and much more.

In addition, a Spanish Language Collection can be found on the second floor of the Civic Center Library.