Using Special Collections and Archives

Collections

Special Collections and Archives welcomes students, faculty, and researchers to explore our materials in person or virtually. We are reachable by email, phone, or chat to answer questions and help prepare for your visit.

Please visit the "Library Hours" page for the most current information about our hours, holidays and building closures.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended, as the majority of our manuscript and archival collections are stored off-site and sometimes require up to a week to retrieve.

Schedule an Appointment

Searching the Archives

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    Finding Aids

    Finding aids are documents containing detailed information about each archival collection, regardless of digitization status.

    Finding Aids

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    Digital Collections

    Digital Archives @ DU features all digitized materials currently available online. Many additional items have not yet been digitized!

    Digital Archives @ DU

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    Resource Guides

    Our research guides are like an expertly guided tour of our collections, organized by subject, theme, or collecting area.

    Archival Resources

Before You Visit or Request Materials

During your first in-person visit, you’ll be asked to complete a Researcher Registration Form. By signing this form, you acknowledge that you have read the Guide to the Use of the University of Denver’s Special Collections and Archives and agree to follow our policies.

Secure lockers are provided for personal belongings

View Policies

Workshops and Instruction

Since 2012, Special Collections and Archives has supported hundreds of hands-on, small group instruction sessions with archival materials, tailored to course goals/outcomes. 

When to make your request

Please contact us early enough to allow time to plan, pull materials and book appropriate instructional space.

  • New faculty and/or new classes: Submit requests at least 20 business days/1 month in advance. A consultation with SCA faculty/staff is required.
  • Faculty and courses with existing instructional planning: Submit requests at least 10 business days/2 weeks in advance. A check-in with SCA faculty/staff is required.

What to provide 

As we plan your session, please be prepared to provide:

  • The syllabus OR course goals/outcomes
  • Any assignments that connect to the archival instruction session
  • If known, single visit or desired multi-session instruction + dates/times
  • Class size/course cap
  • Any planned partnerships with a liaison librarians
  • Archival materials you would like to use, if known

If faculty and/or spaces are not available, we may not be able to provide instruction for your class.

Who to contact

To schedule a session related to our Beck Archives of Rocky Mountain Jewish History, contact the Curator of the Beck Archives, David Fasman at David.Fasman@du.edu.
To schedule a session related to any other collecting area (Fine Press and Artists' Book Collection, University Archives, etc.) contact Curator of Special Collections and Archives, Kate Crowe at katherine.crowe@du.edu. 

Directions and Parking

Special Collections & Archives is located on the Lower Level of the Anderson Academic Commons.

Maps and Parking Information

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