Guidelines for students using SC/UA resources

Archival research is very exciting, but it is also time consuming. We have developed this guide for you to get the most out of your time during a class visit. You are always welcome to visit us during school breaks or on Saturday afternoons (just bring an adult). We will be happy to help you navigate our resources! What are archives and special collections? What materials do you have? How to prepare for a visit Rules for the use of materials in the reading room How to cite our resources FAQ Do you have any questions? Get in touch!

What are archives and special collections?

Archives and special collections are rare and unique materials that provide documentation about people, organizations, places, and events in the past, and are kept for their historical and cultural value.

Rare books, brochures, maps, and other printed materials

Books, maps, and other historical printed materials may be rare, but they are not unique and can therefore be found in more than one library. In America these materials are cataloged according to a system organized by the Library of Congress.

Archival records

Archives are materials that are created or received by a person, family, organization, or government institution and are therefore unique. Collections contain many different types of materials that are stored in archival boxes and folders. They are usually organized in the way that reflects how the person or organization worked. Information about the contents of an archival collection is found in a finding aid.

FAQs

• I can't read the handwriting of the letters or diaries that I want to use. Can you help me read them?

What materials do you have at SC/UA? Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives (SC/UA) holds printed, manuscript, and archival collections that are mainly focused on the history of New Jersey. They include the organizational records of Rutgers University, as well as papers of faculty and alumni in the Rutgers University Archives. Rare books, maps, pamphlets, and other printed materials: how to search the library catalog Archival collections of individuals, families, and organizations: suggested archival collections for research FAQs Why don't you have any primary sources at SP/UA about the person I'm interested in? Can I find them anywhere else? Questions about particular kinds of records and topics

How to prepare for a visit

It is important to do some background reading about the topic of your research before you visit our reading room. It is also important to know what you want to look at in advance, so that we can request materials that are stored off-site in time. Your teacher needs to send us that information at least one week prior to your visit (download a form in Word format).

Information to send us in advance:

For printed materials

• author and title of the publication
• call number (What is a call number?)
• sub-location (What is a sub-location?)

For archives and manuscripts

• title of the collection
• call number of the collection
• box number (to be found in the finding aid)

What to bring for your visit

• camera or cell phone to make photos,
• pencil and note paper

FAQs

• Can I come back to do more research by myself? When are you open?
• Can I borrow your books through interlibrary loan?

Rules for the use of materials in the reading room Because the materials in SC/UA are rare or unique, and often fragile, we have special rules in place. You can only bring pencil, note paper, and camera or personal device or laptop into the reading room. Food and drinks are not allowed. You can use pencil only to make notes. Do not mark, erase, or lean on materials. Hands need to be clean. You cannot use lotion. Only one folder may be used at a time. Use a place holder to indicate its place in the box. Materials in the folder must be kept neatly in their original order. They need to be kept flat, without extending over the edge of the table. Use book cradles, wedges, and light weights (provided) to prevent stress on a book's bindings.

How to cite our resources

Books, brochures, and other printed materials

Use bibliographic references like you would do for secondary sources. You do not need to indicate that they are kept at SC/UA. (When visiting SC/UA, make sure you make a photograph of the title page to have the right information)

Materials in archival collections

Use the following sequence in quoting your source:

• description of the item with date,
• collection name with collection call number,
• box number, folder number (if specified in finding aid),
• Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.