Special Collections Instruction Information

Several people huddled around a desk looking at an image spread out on the desk

Teaching with Special Collections is a collaboration between faculty and library staff. We look forward to sharing our spaces, the collections, and our skills and knowledge with your students. The following information will help you as you plan your session:

  • Library staff and spaces are in high demand throughout the semester. We reserve classrooms on a first-come, first-served basis, and popular class times fill quickly. Please request your classroom space no later than two weeks in advance of your planned class session. To request a class, complete and submit the Special Collections Instruction Request form. Please note that simply filling out the form does not guarantee or “book” the class. Once you have submitted the form, a Special Collections staff member will contact you to confirm the availability of a classroom.
  • For the protection of the materials, we limit the number of items that can be requested for a session to 15. Requests for materials must be submitted at least one week in advance to allow staff time to page ahead of your session. 
  • If you are interested in teaching a collections-intensive course, which includes multiple visits to Special Collections throughout the semester, we ask that you place a request during the preceding semester.
  • Students are not required to register for a Special Collections Research Account in order to attend a class session with Special Collections.
  • Students in classes are asked to follow standard reading room rules – leaving coats, bags, and personal belongings in lockers outside the suite in Firestone, or under the tables in Mudd, bringing only laptops, paper and pencils into classrooms. Please review the downloadable Guidelines for Instruction Sessions in Special Collections for classes in Special Collections Firestone which you can also feel free to share with your students in advance of your session. 
Special Collections Firestone Classroom

Special Collections Firestone

Available Classroom Spaces:

  • Large Classroom
    • Suggested capacity: 30
  • Small Classroom
    • Suggested capacity: 15
  • Large Format Consultation Room
    • Suggested capacity: 15
  • Faculty Consultation Room
    • Suggested capacity: 10
  • Meeting Room
    • Suggested capacity: 10
Special Collections Mudd Classroom

Special Collections Mudd

Available Classroom Spaces:

  • Harlan Room
    • Suggested capacity: 20
  • Seminar Room
    • Suggested Capacity: 12