Access to Archives & Special Collections
Below, you'll find details about how to schedule research visits, information about facilities work which may impact access to our collections, and how to get support for your research (onsite and online).
Service Hours
Reference Services: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00 pm, by phone (860) 486-2524 or email (archives@uconn.edu)
John P. McDonald Reading Room: Open by appointment* with drop-in hours Thursday and Friday
Schimmelpfeng Gallery: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00 pm
*If you wish to visit the McDonald Reading room, you must book an appointment at least two business days in advance of your visit.
Remote Assistance
If you can’t visit us in person, we’re ready to assist you remotely! We continue to support remote research by responding to research inquiries, digitizing materials, and preparing for virtual classes and instruction. Our staff are available to meet with researchers via email, phone, or virtually by appointment.
Free Reference Scanning!
Use our Reproduction Request form to get scans from our collections for personal, research, or teaching use. We will accommodate reasonable requests free of charge. Commercial requests will incur commercial use fees. Turnaround time for reference scanning requests is 30 business days, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about our Reproduction Services and policies.
Research Resources
We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you get started in your research.
- ArchivesSearch: Guides to our archival and manuscript collections
- Library Catalog: Rare books and other published resources from ASC’s collections
- Connecticut Digital Archive: 1,000,000+ items from ASC’s digital collections
- Collection Spotlights provide ideas for topics using our resources
- Social Media: ASC Blog, X, Facebook, Instagram
- Request a Reproduction
- Contact Staff
Instruction
All requests for instruction should be submitted through our Schedule a Class Form
We have made over a million digital objects available through our digital repository, the Connecticut Digital Archive, and can support both asynchronous and synchronous learning sessions. If you’re interested in teaching with us, please reach out at least two weeks in advance of your requested class so that we can work together to determine how best to incorporate our collections into your course!
If you would like to discuss specific issues or concerns about onsite or virtual instruction, please contact archives@uconn.edu.
Donating to ASC
Gifts of Materials: All collection donations will be assessed individually. Arrangements for onsite appraisals (e.g. visits to donors’ homes or workplaces to assess collections) and delivery or pickup of collections will be made on a case-by-case basis.
If you have material you’d like to donate to Archives & Special Collections, please get in touch and our staff will follow up shortly with additional guidance.
If you’re not sure who to contact, please send an email to archives@uconn.edu or call us at 860-486-2524.
Archives & Special Collections does not accept donations made without prior arrangement or notification. Unsolicited donations that are abandoned on or outside of our premises will be disposed of according to Library policy.
Monetary Gifts: Your support matters more than ever. Gifts to the Fund for Excellence in Archives & Special Collections play a critical role in supporting our work, enabling us to acquire unique resources, provide opportunities for researchers, develop engaging outreach programs, and make our rich collections available worldwide. If you’d like to explore other giving opportunities, please contact Maureen Cresci Callahan, Head of Archives & Special Collections, at maureen.cresci_callahan@uconn.edu or 860-486-3646.