UCSB Special Collections: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Logistics

Where are you located, and what are your hours?

We are located on the third floor of the Davidson Library. Please see Hours and Location for additional information on how to get to the UCSB campus and to the Davidson Library.

Where do I park?

For parking information, visit: Campus Parking and Information Services.

Using the Collections

Do I need an appointment to use the collections?

You do not need to make an appointment ahead of time to use the collections, however we strongly recommend that out-of-town researchers or researchers working on time sensitive projects contact the reading room at least two weeks ahead of your visit. Some materials need to be retrieved from off-site and will not be immediately available without advanced notice. All researchers looking at a broad range of materials will benefit from contacting the reading room in advance so that we may assemble the materials you would like to see in advance of your visit. Additionally, you may want to contact one of our curators or our Special Collections librarian for more in-depth reference assistance.

Although you will not need an appointment to view our materials individually, all classes or groups who would like to use our materials in instruction or presentation need to make an appointment in advance by contacting the reading room. Please see our Classes and Group Visits page for additional information.

How do I use Special Collections Materials? May I check out any items or copy from them?

All materials in the collections are non-circulating but can be used in the Reading Room. You do not need a UCSB library card in order to use the collections, however you will need to supply an official form of photo identification (drivers license, student card, etc.). Please read our policies for working with the collections for detailed information.

Limited reproduction may be possible. Suitability for reproduction will be determined by Special Collections staff on a case-by-case basis. All reproduction will be done by Special Collections Staff. A summary our charges is available here. Additional charges may apply for commerical publication or reproduction.

How can I search the collections?

To find published materials, you may use the Pegasus online catalog. To search only for materials in Special Collections, click the tab to perform an Advanced Search and limit your search location to Special Collections.

To find archival materials, you can use the side bar on the right side of the screen to search either our entire website (top search bar) or our collection inventories on the Online Archive of California (bottom search bar). Some archival collections are cataloged in Pegasus, however for detailed information about most collections you will need to use the other resources stated above.

All of these search options are also available through our search page . Please feel free to contact the reading room or come into the department if you need help with searching for materials.

I know that the University Archives are part of Special Collections. Does that mean that I need to go there to see the yearbook, La Cumbre, or to see older issues of the campus newspaper, Daily Nexus?

Although we do keep archival copies of the yearbook, La Cumbre, circulating copies of the yearbook are available in the Main Stacks [LD800 .S35L]. Issues of the Daily Nexus from 2000/2001 onward are available online through the Daily Nexus website. Issues older than that are available on microfilm located in the Main Library [LB3621.65 D35].

If you find that the year or issue you would like to see is missing from the Main Stacks or is checked out, you may use our archival copies, however you will be required to fill out the standard researcher form, supply photo identification (drivers' license, student card, etc.), and abide by all Special Collections policies.

Other

Why is the book I want to see in Special Collections? What makes it so "special"?

There are many different reasons why a book may be in Special Collections including age, scarcity, condition, format, context, or donor request. Variant editions of the same title may be available in the Main Library and can be found by searching Pegasus. You may be able to find a copy to check out through another library via Melvyl or Interlibrary Loan.

What is on exhibit, and where is the exhibit located?

The current exhibit is on display in the Special Collections department, on the third floor of the Donald Davidson Library.

How can I find out about programs and events?

News and Events listings are available on the website.

Visitors can also sign up for the Special Collection’s RSS feed, to obtain electronic announcements describing news and exhibits.

How can I support the Department of Special Collections?

Please visit our support page for more information on giving to Special Collections.

How do I apply for a job in Special Collections?

For staff positions, please visit UCSB Libraries Human Resources to see library job postings.

For student positions, please fill out an application at Human Resources, also located on the 3rd floor of the library, and specify on your application that you would like to work in our department.