COVID-19 Procedures
The research room is currently open by appointment only during normal business hours.
The Special Collections research room will be closed during Winter Intersession. We will close on Friday, December 15th, 2023 and reopen on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024.
Remote access
- We can digitize limited quantities of materials on request and deliver them remotely.
- Remote digitization fees are dependent on time required to fulfill requests, with a two hour limit due to our limited capacity.
- If you would like to make a remote request, please browse or search our collections to select individual items.
- It is likely that we will be unable to digitize large volumes of material or fragile items that risk becoming damaged during scanning.
- Please contact us if you have trouble navigating our collections and selecting individual items.
Requesting an in-person appointment
It remains our highest priority to protect the health of our staff and research community, therefore, kindly review the following information in advance of your appointment.
- Our department is open for research by appointment only Monday-Friday from 9 am until 5 pm (the last available appointment time is 4 pm).
- Appointments must be requested at least 48 hours prior and by 4pm on Friday for the following Monday. Following your request, a staff member will contact you to confirm your appointment.
- We are currently accommodating four researchers at one time. Therefore, as a courtesy to our staff and your fellow researchers, please notify us if your plans change and you are unable to keep your appointment.
Before you arrive
- All individuals on campus, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face mask inside all buildings — unless the person is inside a private residence hall room, office, workspace with a proper barrier, workspace distanced at least six feet from any other occupied workspace, or other enclosed space where they are alone. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face mask outdoors when they are unable to maintain six feet of physical distance from others (for example, while attending a gathering or sporting event). Anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated must wear a face mask outdoors at all times while on campus.
- Please monitor yourself for symptoms on the day of your appointment. If you are experiencing symptoms or otherwise are concerned that you might be infected with the coronavirus or any other illness, we ask that you reschedule your appointment.
- No food or drink is allowed in the Department of Special Collections & Archives.
Arrival procedures
- When you arrive to our department, the outer doors will be closed. Please telephone the number listed on the door and identify yourself as having an appointment that day, and a staff member will escort you into the Reading Room. See Hours & Directions for directions.
- Researchers may bring a laptop computer or tablet, spiral notebook, or loose-leaf paper and pencil into the Reading Room. Pens and markers are not allowed for note taking. Bags, backpacks, purses, and briefcases are not allowed in the Reading Room proper and should be stored in the lockers just inside the Reading Room entrance. Staff will direct you.
- Researchers are encouraged to bring a camera, digital camera, or cell phone to take an unlimited number of images of unrestricted collections free of charge. There is an accompanying form that must be completed. Staff also will digitally reproduce materials for researchers for a fee. Consult our fee schedule to review what items may be reproduced.