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Access, Reference, and Additional Information

Welcome to the information page for Purdue University Archives and Special Collections. This page includes information regarding research assistance and in-person appointments, instructional activities and research consultations, donations and records transfers, and other important information.

Research Assistance

Archives and Special Collections continues to provide virtual assistance to Purdue University faculty, staff, students, and the general public. On-site research will be available by appointment. Archival staff will make every effort to answer your question remotely. For all information requests, email archives@purdue.edu. A staff member will assist you.

Appointments

The information below includes step-by-step instructions for requesting an in-person research visit.

Availability

  • To ensure the health and safety of researchers and staff a limited number of researchers will be allowed in the reading room at one time.
  • Appointments must be requested at least 3 business days in advance.
  • Appointments are available between 10:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Visit the Purdue University Libraries hours page for date-specific hours.
  • ​Appointments are available to members of the Purdue community and general public.
  • Appointments are for information needs that cannot be delivered remotely by Archives and Special Collections staff.

Request Process

  • All researchers must register with Archives and Special Collections to enable efficient processing of your appointment requests. Visit our researcher services site to register.
  • To request an appointment, email archives@purdue.edu. Include your name, list of collections and boxes you wish to view, and your desired appointment date and time. If you are requesting these items as part of a Purdue University course, please indicate the course number and name in your message as well.
  • Archives and Special Collections will evaluate all appointment requests to determine if the research topic may be answered remotely or if an on-site visit is necessary. Remote reference assistance will be undertaken as often as possible.
    • If the request can be addressed with remote assistance Archives and Special Collections will provide resources via email or phone.
    • If an on-site visit is needed Archives and Special Collections will confirm an appointment date, time, and materials to be accessed during the research visit.

Day of Appointment

  • If you are feeling ill or experiencing symptoms of any kind please stay home and re-schedule your appointment.
  • Follow the health and safety guidance provided by the Protect Purdue Plan and on-site by Archives and Special Collections. Archival staff will provide guidance and assist with any questions.
    • Masks are to be worn at all times.
    • Maintain appropriate social distancing and follow spatial markers in place.
    • All researchers are expected to wash and sanitize hands thoroughly prior to handling collection materials.
    • No food or drink is allowed within Archives and Special Collections.
  • Review the directions provided in your appointment confirmation. Make plans to arrive on time for your appointment; if you are late you may be asked to wait until other scheduled researcher check-ins are completed.
  • Be respectful of other researchers and staff by ending your appointment on time.

Classroom Instruction and Research Consultations

Archivists are available for remote instructional activities or research consultations. For more information visit our class visits and instruction page.

Donations and Transfers to Archives and Special Collections

Archives and Special Collections welcomes donations by individuals and records transfers by Purdue University departments in order to preserve the history of Purdue University. Archives and Special Collections is unable to accept unplanned transfers or donations; however, we may be able to schedule a method and time to receive these important resources. For more information about the types of materials that can be donated or transferred visit https://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/transfer. Email archives@purdue.edu if you wish to initiate a donation or transfer, and an archivist will be happy to speak with you.

Additional Information