Special Collections Research Center

Request Materials

Request Materials

 

Start Here: Special Collections Request System

Your first step is to sign up for an account or login to our Request System (Aeon). Anyone can create an account, and you can use it to request materials to view in the reading room, request digital reproductions, and schedule a time to visit the reading room.

Sign In / Register

Request Rare Books

Through the W&M Libraries Catalog

For Onsite Research
  1. Find your book in the library catalog
  2. Click "Aeon Request" under the Find and Request section midway down the catalog record. Our system will automatically fill in much of the information needed.
  3. If the title you are requesting has multiple volumes, please enter your desired volume number. We require a separate request per volume.
  4. Click the calendar icon at the bottom of the request form to select the date you plan to view the book in the Reading Room.

This date selection does not constitute a research appointment; in accordance with our COVID-19 operating procedures, William & Mary faculty, students, and staff should email Special Collections to request an appointment with two business day's notice.

For Copying
  1. Find your book in the library catalog
  2. Select "Switch to Photoduplication Order Form" in the upper right corner of the request form.
  3. If the title you are requesting has multiple volumes, please enter your desired volume number. We require a separate request per volume.
  4. Enter the items or pages you would like digitized, scan format, and intended use for the scans in the required boxes.
  5. A Special Collections staff member will follow up with you to confirm your requested material and provide an estimate of any fees required and time for your scan order to be completed.

 

Request Manuscript and Archival Materials

using the Special Collections Request Account interface

For Onsite Research
  1. Find your desired material in the Manuscripts & Archives Collection Guides database
  2. In a separate tab or window, navigate to the main menu of the Special Collections Request System
  3. Under Place New Request in the left column, select "Onsite Research" to view an item in our Reading Room A separate request is required for each box, e.g. if you need items contained within boxes 11 and 15 in a collection, you will place one request per box.
  4. At minimum, you must enter:
    • Collection ID The collection ID is located at the top of the collection finding aid. The ID may be in a variety of formats, such as MS 00069, SC 00635, Mss. 65 Sk3, and UA 2.17
    • Collection Name The collection name is located at the top of the collection finding aid. The name will often end with Papers, Collection, or Records.
    • Date of visit Click the calendar icon at the bottom of the request form to select the date you plan to view the book in the Reading Room. This date selection does not constitute a research appointment; in accordance with our COVID-19 operating procedures, William & Mary faculty, students, and staff should email Special Collections to request an appointment with two business day's notice.
  5. Depending on the size of the collection, more information may be needed. A separate request is required for each box. For larger collections, folder numbers may assist with the research process while in the Reading Room.
For Copying
  1. Find your desired material in the Manuscripts & Archives Collection Guides database
  2. In a separate tab or window, navigate to the main menu of the Special Collections Request System
  3. Under Place New Request in the left column, select "Reproduction" to order scans. A separate request is required for each box. *Important Note: Please only submit one request per box, e.g. if you need items in folders 3, 15, and 26 in Box 10, you will consolidate that information into one request.
  4. At minimum, you must enter:
    • Collection ID The collection ID is located at the top of the collection finding aid. The ID may be in a variety of formats, such as MS 00069, SC 00635, Mss. 65 Sk3, and UA 2.17
    • Collection Name The collection name is located at the top of the collection finding aid. The name will often end with Papers, Collection, or Records.
    • Which items you would like copied. For each requested box, provide the box and folder numbers and folder titles, as well as the titles and dates of individual items. This information will assist staff in identifying and locating your materials.
    • Format, e.g. PDF, TIFF, or JPEG
    • Intended use for the scans, e.g. personal research, exhibit, or intended for publication.
  5. A Special Collections staff member will follow up with you to confirm your requested material and provide an estimate of any fees required and time for your scan order to be completed.