Plan Your Visit

The Special Collections Reading Room welcomes all researchers! Since archival materials are non-circulating, you’ll need to view our materials in our Reading Room, located on the first floor of the library. If you are unable to come to the Reading Room in person, please contact us to discuss options for digital reproductions of materials.

Hours Reading Room Directions

How to Request Materials:

1. Search Our Collections

To request materials for viewing, please visit our Research Tools or browse our collections to find materials you want to view. If you have questions or need help using our websites, please contact us at libspec@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-0845.

2. Search Our Digital Collections

Our Digital Collections and Idaho Harvester Blog feature select digitized collections, curated online exhibits, and many other unique material held by Special Collections available to view online.

3. Make an Appointment or Visit Open Hours

Visit our Reading Room during open hours or schedule an appointment. We ask for at least two business days of notice so we may do any preparatory searching and retrieving in advance. Appointments are dependent on staff availability.

4. Fill Out a Registration Form Upon Arrival

When you get here, you will be asked to fill out a Registration Form, acknowledging that all researchers understand and will abide by the Reading Room Rules (see below) for using Special Collections and Archives materials.

Hours and Appointments

Everyone is welcome to visit our Reading Room and view our materials!

Reading Room Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday	10:00am - 2:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday	1:00pm - 5:00pm
Summer	By appointment only

Make an Appointment

To set up a research appointment, please email libspec@uidaho.edu. Including the following information is appreciated:

Name and preferred method of communication
Topic of research
Collection(s) of interest. If possible, include links to where you’ve identified the collection online.
Preferred days and times for a visit

We ask for at least two business days of notice so we may do any preparatory searching and retrieving in advance. We are open to appointments Monday-Friday 9am-4pm depending on staff availability.

Reading Room Rules

The Reading Room is reserved for the use of Special Collections and Archives materials. We ask that you please adhere to the following guidelines when visiting:

Space

All personal items (backpacks, coats, purses, books, and other personal articles) are not to be kept at the research tables. Storage space is available in the cubbies along the side of the room.
Please be courteous and set cell phones and other sound devices to quiet mode.
Please respect fellow researchers and be mindful of noise and space.
Before leaving, straighten all papers and folders inside boxes. Return all materials to staff. As a security measure, the department reserves the right to inspect all research materials and personal articles.
Please use outcards to preserve the existing order and arrangement of all unbound materials. Please use one box and one folder out at a time. Notify a staff member if material is found out of order.

Equipment

Laptops, notebooks, and pencils are allowed at research tables. Pens are not allowed.
We provide two computers, two flatbed scanners, and digital camera stand for use by researchers (please check with staff before scanning or photographing any materials).
Cell phones with cameras, digital cameras, and scanners are permitted with staff approval.

Accident Prevention

All food and beverages are prohibited.
Materials must be handled with extreme care to ensure their preservation. Turn pages carefully, make no marks on the materials, rest no books or other objects on the face or surface of items used. Restrictions may be set to protect fragile or damaged materials.

Reproductions

We reserve the right to deny a reproduction request because of copyright regulations, privacy rights, donor-imposed regulations or other rights related issues.
Permission to examine Special Collections holdings is granted for reference purposes only. This does not include permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast or electronically disseminate the materials consulted by the researcher. Permission for these uses must be obtained by separate agreement and possible payment of fees with the department of Special Collections and Archives. In giving permission to copy, quote from, or publish, Special Collections does not surrender its own right to publish such material or grant permission to others to do so.

Getting Here

We are located on the first floor of the University of Idaho Library. For directions to the library, see our directions page. For a wider campus map, see campus maps.

You can find information about parking on the University of Idaho Parking and Transportation Services Visitors Page.

Special Collections