How do I access the collections?
Do I need an appointment to visit?
How do I request materials?
What are the use policies for Archives and Special Collections?
How do I find out if Archives and Special Collections has any materials that could help me in my research?
Can I check out books or other materials?
Who can use the collections?
Can I make photocopies of materials?
Can I bring food or drinks into Archives and Special Collections?
Can I use my cell phone in Archives and Special Collections?
Can I use my digital camera or scanner in Archives and Special Collections?
How can I find out the value of a book or item in my possession?
Can you appraise my old books, photographs, or papers?
How and when can I view exhibits on display?
How do I see the Amelia Earhart materials?
Can I get a copy of a photograph in the collections?
What are the copyright policies on publishing materials in the collections?
Can I put copies of collection materials on my website?
How do I learn more about Purdue history?
Can the library help me preserve my old books, photographs, or papers?
Does the Archives and Special Collections fill inter-library loan requests?
What was the first book acquired by the Purdue Libraries?
What was the one millionth book acquired by the Purdue Libraries?
How do I access the collections?
Materials in Archives and Special Collections are available to the public during open hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some collections are located in offsite storage and 24-48 hours advance notice is required to see materials from those collections. If you are considering a visit to Archives and Special Collections, it is always a good idea to contact us ahead of time and let us know what materials you’re interested in viewing. All collection materials must be used in the Archives and Special Collections area only. They cannot be checked out or taken out of the unit for use.
Do I need an appointment to visit?
Although appointments are not required, it is always a good idea to contact us ahead of time and let us know what materials you’re interested in viewing so that we can have them available for you. Some collections are located in offsite storage and 24-48 hours advance notice is required to see materials from those collections.
When requesting items from the Archives and Special Collections, researchers present a current photo ID to staff and fill out a request slip detailing what materials they would like pulled for them. All Special Collections stacks are closed, so browsing the collections is not allowed. If you are unsure what materials in Archives and Special Collections may be of use to you, feel free to browse our website, or contact us ahead of time and we can help you refine your requests.
What are the use policies for Archives and Special Collections?
Due to the rare and valuable nature of our holdings, the following guidelines must be followed to access Archives and Special Collections materials:
- No food or drinks allowed
- Pencils only may be used for taking notes; no pens, highlighters, markers, etc.
- Cell phones must be turned off
- There is no self-photocopying; requests for copies are filled by staff as time permits
- No items may be removed from the Archives and Special Collections reading room
To see a complete list of Rules for Researchers, click here.
How do I find out if Archives and Special Collections has any materials that could help me in my research?
Books in Archives and Special Collections are cataloged in the Libraries’ online catalog. Other non-book resources, such as photographs, archival documents, artifacts and memorabilia, and newspaper clipping files are indexed in the card catalog or the finding aids available in Archives and Special Collections. Finding aids for some of the collections are being made available through our website. If you are unsure what materials in Archives and Special Collections may be of use to you, contact us ahead of time and we can help.
Can I check out books or other materials?
No, like most archives and special collection repositories materials in the collections are non-circulating and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections reading room.
The collections are open to Purdue students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance so that we may retrieve items needed prior to your visit.
Can I make photocopies of materials?
Some materials in Archives and Special Collections can be photocopied by staff. Researchers are not permitted to make their own photocopies, and due to the rare and often fragile nature of the materials some items may not be able to be duplicated at all. If you are unsure about whether an item can be photocopied, ask the Archives and Special Collections staff. All duplication of materials must conform to U.S. copyright laws.
Can I bring food or drinks into Archives and Special Collections?
No, due to the rare and valuable materials collected in Archives and Special Collections no food or drinks are allowed in the area.
Can I use my cell phone in Archives and Special Collections?
No, in order to avoid disturbing researchers and staff we ask that all cell phones be turned off when visiting Archives and Special Collections. If phones must be used, they can be taken outside of the area and used in the adjacent hallway.
Can I use my digital camera or scanner in Archives and Special Collections?
Researchers may bring their digital cameras or scanners into the area upon receiving prior permission from Archives and Special Collections staff. Some materials, due to their fragile nature or size, may not be scanned. All duplication of materials must conform to U.S. copyright laws.
How can I find out the value of a book or item in my possession?
The Archives and Special Collections does not provide monetary appraisals, and we cannot recommend specific dealers or appraisers to you.
We suggest you contact:
- International Society of Appraisers (1-888-472-4732)
- American Society of Appraisers (1-800-272-8258)
Can you appraise my old books, photographs, or papers?
The Archives and Special Collections does not provide monetary appraisals, and we cannot recommend specific dealers or appraisers to you.
We suggest you contact:
- International Society of Appraisers (1-888-472-4732)
- American Society of Appraisers (1-800-272-8258)
How and when can I view exhibits on display?
Rotating exhibitions are offered in Archives and Special Collections on an ongoing basis. Exhibitions are open to the public during open hours, Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. We ask that you please not lean on the glass exhibit cases and not bring food or drink into the area.
How do I see the Amelia Earhart materials?
The George Palmer Putnam Collection of Amelia Earhart Papers is located in a remote storage facility. In order to see materials from the collection, researchers must contact Sammie Morris, Archivist, to set up an appointment. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours notice is required in order to allow us time to retrieve the materials from remote storage.
Can I get a copy of a photograph in the collections?
Researchers may purchase photographic prints and/or scans of images in Archives and Special Collections. Costs vary depending on the size and resolution of the image needed. For a list of typical duplication fees, see the duplication permission form.
What are the copyright policies on publishing materials in the collections?
All collection materials are protected by U.S. Copyright Law and may not be duplicated, published, displayed, exhibited, placed on a website, aired on a television program or video, or used publicly in any other manner without permission from Archives and Special Collections faculty. All use of collection materials must conform to U.S. Copyright Law. If you are unsure about the copyright status of specific items in our collections, contact us.
Can I put copies of collection materials on my website?
All collection materials are protected by U.S. Copyright Law and may not be duplicated, published, displayed, exhibited, placed on a website, aired on a television program or video, or used publicly in any other manner without permission from Archives and Special Collections faculty. All use of collection materials must conform to U.S. Copyright Law. If you are unsure about the copyright status of specific items in our collections, contact us.
How do I learn more about Purdue history?
The Archives and Special Collections unit has a wealth of information on the history of Purdue. For listings of Purdue-related texts, check the Libraries online catalog. Before using archival materials, however, it is best to start with general books on Purdue history that will provide a basic overview with relevant dates and events noted. Once this background work has been done, researchers will have a better idea of what they are interested in finding out more about from the archival holdings. If particular moments, events, people, schools, departments, buildings, or other aspects of Purdue history are of interest to you, contact us and we can provide more detailed guidance. To test your knowledge of Purdue history, take the following quiz created by Perspective: http://www.purdue.edu/PER/quiz.html.
Can the library help me preserve my old books, photographs, or papers?
The Archivist can provide basic guidance to researchers in preserving their personal collections or family treasures. Assistance includes providing a list of vendors for purchasing archival storage supplies, guidance in what types of supplies may be needed, and recommendations for handling, storage, and/or display of materials. For questions on preservation, contact the Archivist.
For further information on preservation, see the following online resources:
American Institute for Conservation. (http://aic.stanford.edu/)
Conservation Online. (http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/)
Cornell University. (http://www.library.cornell.edu/librarypreservation)
Library of Congress. (http://www.loc.gov/preserv/)
National Film Preservation Foundation. (http://www.filmpreservation.org/)
Northeast Document Conservation Center. (http://www.nedcc.org/)
Regional Alliance for Preservation. (http://www.rap-arcc.org/)
Does the Archives and Special Collections fill inter-library loan requests?
No, due to the fragile and unique nature of our holdings, we are unable to send our materials out for inter-library loan.
What was the first book acquired by the Purdue Libraries?
A volume of the American Journal of Science published in 1930.
What was the one millionth book acquired by the Purdue Libraries?
In 1969, the Purdue Libraries acquired its one millionth volume - a rare 1617 edition of Copernicus' On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies (De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium). The book formerly belonged to 18th century French astronomer Jerome de Lalande. In this work, Copernicus expounded upon his theory that the sun is the center of the solar system.
