Special Collections and Archives supports the teaching and learning mission of the University by providing course-specific instruction, reference services and individual research consultations, and by ensuring access to the rich primary source materials that inform our understandings of self, University, community, and the global society.
Research
In order to make your experience more productive, researchers are encouraged to review information about our collections by exploring finding aids, bibliographies, and the library catalog.
Technology and Equipment
Researchers from Eduroam institutions should set up access at their home institution in advance for easier connection to DePaul’s wireless network.
In-person researchers are responsible for making their own reproductions. The following equipment is provided in our reading room for self-service reproductions.
- Cell phone stand with Bluetooth shutter button (researchers provide their own cell phone)
- Tabletop document scanner (researchers provide their own laptop computer and will need to download scanner software to operate). Limited tech support is available for the scanners; Chromebooks and some iOS and Windows operating systems may not be compatible.
More Information
Instruction and Presentations
Special Collections and Archives partners with faculty to develop course-specific instruction using rare books, archives, maps and other unique items in our classroom space on the 4th floor of the Richardson Library. Digitization of selected materials for use in online instruction may be possible. Faculty who are interested in Special Collections instruction are encouraged to contact the Special Collections Instruction and Outreach Archivist, Derek Potts, before the start of the academic term.
Please submit your Winter Term instruction requests as soon as possible. We may reach capacity before the start of the term. If our
instruction calendar is full, please contact
Derek Potts directly to see if alternate arrangements can be made for students to visit the Reading Room, or to inquire about digital versions of selected materials.