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Using the Archive & Special Collections: Accessing Materials

This guide will help you find your way around the UASC archival collections and provide you helpful tips on how to do archival research and read a finding aid.

Accessing Materials

The materials held by UASC are in closed stacks and consultation only. This means you will need to request items you wish to view ahead of time and will only be able to use them while in the reference area. Below are the steps you will need to take to plan ahead for your visit.

 
Browse our holdings

You can view our holdings of the manuscript collectionsuniversity archives or browse our digital archives. Note that this is not everything we have in our collections. You can always speak to UASC faculty to find out more.

 
Contact UASC

In order to request material to be pulled for you to consult, the Special Collections Librarian. In your email ensure that you provide details about your research subject (if you know it) or if you would like assistance understanding what research topic you can work on based on our holdings. The more information you provide, the better we can assist you. Remember that you can also reach out if you would like assistance in understanding how to request materials at another library or archive.

Once you have contacted UASC, an appointment will be scheduled for you to come in and consult the material, or view our holdings. This will be done with the Special Collections Librarian.

 
Prepare for Your Visit

In order to understand what to expect when using UASC's material, we suggest you view our policies here. These policies highlight how to request material, terms of use, and how to get copies of items. When you arrive, you will be asked to sign a Registration Form outlining the terms patrons must agree to follow when consulting our holdings.

We also suggest that you bring a pencil with you. Pencils are the only writing utensils that are allowed near our materials to mitigate any damage from possible ink spills or markings. No sweat if you forgot - we have plenty you can borrow! Of course, laptops are welcome.

 
Come to UASC

Once you've scheduled your appointment and have a rough idea of your research topic (and have your pencil!) you can come to UASC. We are located on the third floor of the Foley Library Center behind the Cowle's Rare Book Reading Room. No need to worry if the doors are closed (it's for fire safety), we are open. You will be met by UASC faculty or provided instructions on where to go.

UASC faculty will have pulled some materials for you prior to your visit. You will be provided space at a reference table where you can consult the materials. If you have any questions at any point, do not hesitate to ask.

 
Repeat Visits

Once you have spoken with UASC faculty on the materials you wish to consult, any follow-up visits will move faster. Simply schedule another time to visit UASC and let us know which materials you wish to continue consulting, or any new items you want us to pull. When you arrive, you can go ahead and get started with your consultation at the reference desk, but make sure you still have your pencil or laptop!

 

Still Not Finding What You Need?

Archives West is a great resource available to Gonzaga students to search archives in neighboring states in the northwest. Archives West contains completed finding aids that are searchable with keywords or subject terms, similar to a database. Note that you will then need to contact the archive directly to use the items. You can always contact UASC for assistance at any point in your research.