Special Collections material does not circulate and must be used in the Reading Room. To request Special Collections material and make a Reading Room appointment, fill out the Ask Special Collections form or email AskSpec@udel.libanswers.com.
In your message, please include as much information as you can about what material you’d like to see so staff can be certain of what item(s) you are requesting. For printed material, such as books, identifying information includes the title, author, and call number. For archival material, identifying information includes the collection number, collection title, and specific boxes or folders. It’s also helpful to include a link to the catalog record or finding aid listing the item you are interested in.
After filling out the form or sending an email message, you should receive a reply from a Special Collections staff member acknowledging your request within one business day. The staff member will either confirm your appointment, ask for more information, or let you know that the appointment cannot be made for the requested time (for instance, if the visitor calendar is full that day).
Special Collections materials at the Annex
While most material can be retrieved within 24 hours, items housed at the Annex will require several days for retrieval. If the item(s) you’re interested in are housed at the Annex, the catalog record or the finding aid will include a note such as “Available at Library Annex” or “Shelved in Annex.” To request Annex material, please fill out the Library Annex Request Form. If you’re requesting archival material, put the collection number in the Call Number field, put the title of the collection in the Title field, and list which boxes you are requesting in the Notes field.
Because Annex materials require time to be delivered to Special Collections, please allow 1-2 business days before an Annex request is ready. You’ll receive a notification from a staff member once an Annex request has arrived.
Do you have questions or can’t find what you’re looking for? Please contact Special Collections via our contact form or call us at 302-831-2229.