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Frequently Asked Questions

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You're now Archives & Special Collections?

Yes! The two departments formerly known as the Archives Service Center and Special Collections merged to become one new department called Archives & Special Collections. We believe we can serve your research needs much better this way; plus the majority of the collections are now located at the Thomas Blvd facility.

I see you have two locations; where should I go?

If you are unsure of which location to visit, please contact us ahead of time with details of your research request and we can direct you to the appropriate reading room.

When are you open?

Both reading rooms are open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 4:45 pm. We are closed on all University holidays. You can also view the full list of library hours to check if we’re open.

How do I get to the Archives Service Center location?

Since we’re located off campus, the three easiest ways to get to us are by:

How do I get to the Hillman location?

Hillman Library
3960 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Third Floor, Room 363

Who can use Archives & Special Collections?

Everyone! We’re open to the public, not just University of Pittsburgh students, faculty and staff.

What should I bring?

You’re allowed to bring pencils, paper, notebooks, laptop/tablet into the Reading Room. If you’re planning to request photocopies, they are $0.50 per page, so bring cash or a checkbook. We also allow you to take photos of documents with a digital camera, so you may want to bring your camera or smartphone and a charger.

Please DO NOT bring pens, drinks, or food. Lockers are available for storing bags and anything else you may have. You can check our Policies and Procedures for more information.

How do I order reproductions?

You may order a reproduction of most of the material in Archives & Special Collections by submitting a reproduction request. Information on reproduction services and costs can be found on our Ordering Reproductions page.

Do you have Wi-Fi?

We do! If you are a Pitt affiliate who has already configured your laptop to access the Pitt network on campus, you will have immediate access. If you do not have a Pitt computing account, we can give you temporary guest access while you are visiting with us. It just takes a few minutes to configure for you. We can also configure this for you before you arrive if you let us know in advance (guest wireless access).

Do I have to make an appointment?

Making an appointment is not required, but it IS highly recommended. Calling ahead will allow us to have the material you want to use available when you arrive; we may also be able to identify other collections that might be related to your topic. If you’re not sure where to start and would like to consult with an archivist before beginning your research, please send us an email.

What should I expect on my visit?

When you arrive at Archives & Special Collections, you will be asked to fill out a short patron registration form, as well as look over our Policies and Procedures. If you’ve contacted us ahead of time, you’ll be able to get right to work on the material we’ve pulled for you; otherwise, you can talk to an archivist to help determine what you want to access. An archivist is always on duty to help you with any questions.

Can I bring my class or group to visit for a tour?

Absolutely! Please contact us for more information or to schedule a visit.

Do you have digitized material online?

Yes! Archives & Special Collections has selected and scanned material from several of our collections that you can view from home! Our Digital Collections page provides information about many of our digitized collections and some of our collection guides also include links to digitized content.

Where else can I do research in Pittsburgh?

If you can’t find what you are looking for at Archives & Special Collections, we encourage you to contact some of Pittsburgh’s other research institutions, including:

Can I work at Archives & Special Collections? Do you offer internships?

Students currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh are eligible to apply for positions and internships at the Archives. Check out the current ULS student job opportunities or contact us if you are interested in working with us.

How can I donate material to Archives & Special Collections?

If you are interested in donating historical records to Archives & Special Collections, please contact us. We’d love to talk with you!

Does the University Archives accept materials from students and student organizations?

Yes! Please visit our Student Organization Records Toolkit to learn more about how student groups can maintain their records or donate them to the archives. You can also contact us for more information.