Recent visitors to the University of Michigan Library Special Collections Research Center may have noticed that we paused our duplication services this summer. We are extending this pause until January 2, 2024.
This decision required careful consideration. We recognize the inconvenience this may cause for those who rely on the option to request scans of collection material for their research and scholarship, and for publication. There are several alternative options for accessing our materials during this time.
Why a pause?
The scale of demand for this service over the past few years has been so high that it significantly strained our staff capacity. We need time to reevaluate our policies and workflows and find a sustainable path forward.
We are currently in the process of hiring a Research Services Librarian who will provide leadership for both reading room and duplication services. We want to ensure they’re involved in our evaluation and decision-making.
Alternatives for accessing our materials
In the interim, we encourage you to consider the following alternatives for accessing materials onsite:
- Visit our reading room: Beginning September 13, our reading room will be open by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Be sure to request the materials you'd like to view and schedule an appointment at least 10 days in advance of your visit.
- Consider hiring a local researcher to do research on your behalf. Contact us a special.collections@umich.edu for more information.
- Apply for one of our research fellowships to support travel for a reading room visit during spring/summer 2024. Calls for applications will be issued in early November.
If you have a reference question about materials in our collection, contact us at special.collections@umich.edu. While we are unable to conduct extensive research on your behalf, we are happy to provide general guidance, help determine whether our collection includes relevant material, or in some cases, provide information from an item or collection that speaks to a targeted query.