Access, Reference, and Additional Information

Beginning Fall 2025, Archives and Special Collections requires appointments for all researchers. Exhibit visitors do not need to make an appointment.

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

Researchers may make appointments, submit requests, track past and current research projects, download citations, and more through our Researcher Services site. Register an account to begin.

Upcoming Hours Changes

Archives and Special Collections will have modified hours the following date(s):

  • October 13, 2025 – October 14, 2025: Open 10:00-1:00; appointment required (October Break)
  • November 26, 2025: Open 10:00-1:00; appointment required
  • November 27, 2025 – November 28, 2025: Closed (Thanksgiving Break)
  • December 22, 2025 – December 23, 2025: Closed (Staff Collections Activities)
  • December 24, 2025 – January 2, 2026: Closed (University Winter Break)
  • January 5, 2026 – January 7, 2026: Closed (Staff Collections Activities)
  • January 8, 2026 – January 9, 2026: Open 10:00-1:00; appointment required

Special Exhibit Hours

The exhibition “The Lone Wolf Inventor: The Life and Legacy of Benjamin F. Miessner” will be open for viewing on Saturday home football gamedays in Fall 2025. The exhibit is open from 9:00-1:00 each date. Admission is free. Visitors are encouraged to register where linked below.

These special open dates are:

About the exhibit

The work of Benjamin Franklin Miessner has captured the imagination of countless generations in the United States. Miessner, a Purdue electrical engineering student in the early 20th century, was a self-made inventor who held countless patents during his career. The exhibit provides an intimate glimpse into the mind and work of America’s old school inventors.

Research Assistance

Archives and Special Collections provides on-site and virtual research assistance to Purdue University faculty, staff, students, and the general public. For research guidance 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

  • ​Appointments are available to members of the Purdue community and general public.
  • ​Appointments should be made at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability of collections.
  • Advanced appointments are required for Monday through Thursday for research appointments. On Fridays, prior research appointments are strongly recommended.
  • Hours
    • During the Fall and Spring semester appointments are available between 10:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.
    • During summer (period between end of Spring semester and beginning of Fall semester) appointments are available between 10:00am-4:30pm Monday through Thursday.
    • Hours may change under special circumstances. Visit the Purdue University Libraries hours page for date-specific hours.

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.
  • Appointments to view materials within Archives and Special Collections are made through the researcher services site. If you are requesting these items as part of a Purdue University course, please indicate the course number and title in your appointment request as well.
  • Following an appointment request Archives and Special Collections will confirm the appointment or respond with any questions. Researchers may track their appointment(s) and material request(s) through the researcher services site.

Classroom Instruction and Research Consultations

Archivists are available for in-person and 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. 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