What hours are you open?
Please see our hours.
How do I find out what's in Special Collections & University Archives?
Virtually all of our books and most of our manuscript collections are represented by bibliographic records in InfoHawk, and patrons should begin any search there. Some materials not represented in InfoHawk are cataloged in card files available only in Special Collections. The majority of our manuscript collections -- which occupy 15,000 linear feet of shelving and include millions of letters, reports, memoranda, and documents -- are also described by online finding aids. These inventories sometimes describe individual items but more often describe the contents of a folder or a box. Actual items are rarely represented by online digital surrogates.
If you want to know whether the University of Iowa Libraries owns a particular book, check InfoHawk. If you have a very specific question about manuscript holdings (such as “Do you hold the papers of Dick Clark?”), consult the finding aids. For comprehensive key word searching, use the "Smart Search" box in the banner at the top of this page. Note that the drop-down menu will allow you to change "All" to "Library Website." A search of the Library Website will review all our finding aids -- thousands of pages of detailed information about manuscript holdings.
It may also be helpful to email us or, if you're on campus, come talk to a member of the staff.
It is hard for me to come in during your service hours. Are Special Collections books ever allowed to circulate?
See our circulation policy. In some cases, we do loan books on a short-term basis. We will only circulate titles that could be replaced (at your expense) if lost or damaged.
There are things in Special Collections I want to consult, but I simply can't come in during the hours you're open. What do I do?
Talk to us. While we do have to meet many obligations with limited resources, we want very much to make the collections accessible. With advance planning, we can sometimes be here for you during the evening or on the weekend. Sometimes, too, we can leave print materials at the north circulation desk for your use in the building during hours we are closed.
How do I contact you by email?
We have an email account (lib-spec@uiowa.edu) that is monitored Monday through Friday, and we respond to queries as quickly as we are able. You are welcome to contact staff members individually, but since not everyone is available all the time, you are likely to receive a faster answer by way of lib-spec@uiowa.edu.
Can you provide photocopies of particular items?
Generally yes. Some items are too fragile to copy, and in some cases we are prevented from making copies by contractual agreements with donors or by copyright considerations. Requests for a large number of copies may exceed our staff resources, but we will make suggestions as to how to satisfy your request.
What do photocopies cost?
Our standard charge is $.20 per page plus postage. Do not send us payment directly. Once we have made the copies and sent them to you, we notify the Libraries' business office, which will bill you through the University Finance Office. Invoices are usually mailed within three weeks and will contain payment instructions.
Do you have imaging services? I would like to get copies of photographs, photographs of text materials or digital scans of images or text. How can I order these?
We have limited in-house resources (equipment, staff and expertise), but services of dependable quality and stable turn-around time are offered by the University of Iowa. Please make your requests to us -- not to the Center -- on our Users Form. If you need color prints or have other special requests, please contact us. You should also review our Rights, Permissions & Fees page which includes our schedule of use fees.
In-House: Please specify what you want scanned, at what resolution (150, 300 dpi, etc.), and in what format (.jpg, .tiff, etc.) you want the image delivered. We have both scanners and a digital camera. Our digital camera (a Nikon CoolPix 4500) takes digital images (.jpgs only) that average 1.5MB. We deliver images as created by the scanner or camera, without editing or enhancement. Our email system will not allow us to attach files larger than 20MB; we may be able to post larger files to a server from which you can retrieve them for a short time. We can burn multiple scans or digital photographs to a single CD. Our per image charge is $9.00. There is no additional charge for CDs. You will be billed by the University Finance Office.
Center for Media Production: Photographic reproductions as well as digital images are made by the CMP and invoiced by the University Finance Office. To estimate CMP charges, note that as of October 2006, the following policies applied (subject to change without notice):
Black & White Copy Negatives: 3 1/2 x 5" = $2.50; 4 x 5" = $8.50; 5 x 7" = $5.00; 8 x 10" = $10.00
Fast photo processing charges: one-day = 2 x normal cost; two-day = 1.5 x normal cost. (Fast processing is not always available)
Scanning: A $6.50 per CD handling charge is added to all scan orders.
Shipping: CMP ships orders by regular mail, FedEx, or UPS. For FedEx or UPS delivery, patrons must provide their account number .
You have films (or sound recordings) that I would like to have copied. Can I order this?
Yes, in general. We ask patrons to pay for two copies of the work, one for themselves and one to be returned to the collection. The cost of the second copy is typically nominal. Once your request has been approved, we take the materials to the Center for Media Production, which migrates the sound or moving image and invoices you via the University Finance Office. You must identify precisely what you want copied and specify the format you want to result (which can include DV-CAM or DVD). You should also review our Rights, Permissions & Fees page which includes the schedule of use fees charged by the Libraries.
I don't think I can come to Iowa City, but there is research I would like to have done. Can I hire a research assistant?
Yes, students in the School of Library and Information Science are often available to conduct research projects under your direction. Contact Caroline Austin , Sch 3088, Main Library, Iowa City, IA 52240-1420, phone 319-335-5707. If your project requires special language or subject expertise, contact the Program Assistant of the relevant department. If you are interested in hiring a professional research service, please contact us for recommendations.
I used your collections a while ago and have now had my article (or book) accepted for publication. How do I cite the items from your collections that I am using?
Congratulations! Please cite: [Name of collection], Special Collections Department, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa. We recommend this format because the University of Iowa was once (and for some purposes still is) referred to as the "State University of Iowa" and is easily confused with Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa).
I am quoting quite a lot of material (or reproducing photograph(s) or sound recordings) I obtained from you. Do I need your permission? Must I pay any use fees?
See our statement on Copyright.
I have an old book (or manuscript, painting, cartoon, antique object, miniature book, etc.) and would like to know what it is worth (its market value). Can you tell me?
While we are expert in judging scholarly value, we deeply regret that we are unable to appraise the dollar value of books, manuscripts and collectibles. In general, value depends first on the condition of the item (only an authentic item in very fine condition is likely to be valuable) and second on the number of collectors who are or might be interested in it (the more collectors, the more competitive a market is likely to be). We can recommend the following resources for estimating value of books and other objects:
"Your Old Books," published by the Rare Book & Manuscript Section of the American Library Association. Click on “Publications” on the left; then click on “Pamphlets & Brochures” in the list; then click on “Your Old Books.”
eBay and other online auctions
viaLibri
Bookfinder
Bookfinder4U
AddAll
abebooks
TomFolio
Biblio
Antiquarian Booksellers Association of American
International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
PBA Galleries Instant Appraiser Click on "Instant Appraiser" in the top tool bar to access their "BiblioBot" software.
For advice on miniature books, visit the Miniature Book Society pages; note the "dealers" page; this will give you links to booksellers who specialize in buying and selling small books.
Do you accept books, manuscripts, documents, and other items as gifts?
Please see our Gifts page.
I’m planning a research visit to use Special Collections. Do you have contacts for places to stay?
Please see our Advice for Visitors.