About @ Special Collections and Archives

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Special Collections and Archives located?

Special Collections and Archives is located on the fourth floor of the Dunbar Library at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

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What hours is Special Collections and Archives open?

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed

Additional Hours during the Academic Year:
Wednesday: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Holidays, Academic Breaks, and Summer Term hours – Please call ahead or
check hours for a specific day at our Hours Calendar.

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Is parking available?

Visitor parking, marked by brown and gold signs, is available in front of the Dunbar Library. After parking, please get a Visitor Parking Permit from the Circulation Desk for $2.00, and place the permit on your rear-view mirror. The parking permit is valid for all day.

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Do I need an appointment to visit Special Collections and Archives?

No. Materials in Special Collections and Archives are available to the public during the hours we are open. If you are considering a visit, or have a specific question, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

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How can I contact Special Collections and Archives?

By email: archive@www.libraries.wright.edu

By phone: (937) 775-2092

By mail:

Special Collections and Archives
Wright State University Libraries
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH 45435-0001

If you have a specific research question, please use our research request form.

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What are the rules and regulations for using Special Collections and Archives?

Because our holdings contain rare and valuable materials, the following guidelines must be followed to access the collections:

Please register at the front desk upon arrival.

Please do not bring food or drink into the reading room.

Please use pencils only, as pens, markers, and highlighters might damage materials.

Lockers are available for your personal belongings. Purses, briefcases, backpacks, laptop cases, and other large materials are not permitted in the reading room.

Please see our Rules and Regulations for Use of Materials.

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Can I check out material from Special Collections and Archives?

We encourage researchers to use our materials, but we also must preserve them for future scholars as well. Therefore, materials in Special Collections and Archives are not available for check-out. Materials in the collections may be used in the reading room of Special Collections and Archives during our open hours.

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What material from Special Collections and Archives is available online?

Visitors can browse manuscript collections with finding aids online or conduct a site search of our web site. Many of our collections are also cataloged in the Dunbar Library’s online catalog. We also have several images & online exhibits which highlight material in our collections.

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What is the locker policy?

After you sign in at the reading room, you will need to check all of your belongings into an available locker. We have lockers with locks available near the reading room on the fourth floor. You may keep loose paper, pencils, laptop computers, and research notes with you. Please be advised that for security of our collections, any material brought into the reading room is subject to search prior to leaving the Archives reading room.

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How can I get a copy of a photograph from Special Collections and Archives?

You can get a photographic copy or digital media file made from photographs in Special Collections. Please be aware of use and copyright restrictions that may apply. For further information about reproduction options, fees, and ordering, please see our Research, Photographic Services, and Use Fees page.

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Can I use my digital camera or scanner in Special Collections and Archives?

At the present time, researchers are not permitted to scan, photograph, or film materials from Special Collections and Archives.

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Can I use my laptop computer in Special Collections and Archives?

Yes, the use of laptop computers is allowed in the reading room, and electrical power outlets are available. However, laptop cases, backpacks, and briefcases must be placed in a locker, as they are not permitted in the reading room.

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Can I make photocopies of materials from Special Collections and Archives?

Most materials in the collections may be photocopied, subject to size, condition, and copyright restrictions. There is a self-service copy machine available in the reading room. Please check with the reading room desk staff if you have any questions concerning making photocopies of materials.

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Can I use my cell phone in Special Collections and Archives?

To help maintain a quiet atmosphere for research and study, we ask that cell phones be put on vibrate or turned off completely. If cell phones must be used, there is a Dunbar Library Cell Phone Zone available just outside the reading room.

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Will Special Collections and Archives do research for me?

Special Collections and Archives provides basic reference service via email, telephone, and mail, in addition to assistance to patrons in the reading room. We encourage researchers to use our finding aids, catalogs, and digital images online to help focus the research request. Please refer to our research guidelines and fees on the Research Request Form. If you are in need of extensive research assistance, The Ohio Historical Society maintains a list of researchers for hire.

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What exhibits do you have on display?

Rotating exhibits utilizing materials from Special Collections and Archives are offered in the Dunbar Library and the Fordham Health Sciences Library on an ongoing basis. Exhibitions are open to the public during the Libraries’ regular hours and are listed on our news page. Additionally, Special Collections and Archives maintains several online exhibits as well.

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How do you decide what Collections you Take?

Special Collections & Archives has a Collection Policy which defines what subjects we are documenting. If a collection falls outside of our Collection Policy, we make every effort to suggest appropriate institutions who may accept the donation.

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Does Special Collections & Archives have a Processing Manual?

Special Collections & Archives does have a Processing Manual for archivists to use when arranging and describing collections. The manual walks through the steps of processing from deciding an arrangement to writing the finding aid.

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Special Collections & Archives Department
Wright State University Libraries
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, Ohio - 45435
Phone: (937)775-2092, FAX (937) 775-4109
Please send comments to the Web Team
Last updated Sun. Oct-05-08 Copyright Information © 2005