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Special Collections Resources for Graduate Students

This guide provides information for graduate students interested in doing research in archives/special collections. It includes information about research and presentation opportunities for grad student at the University of Arkansas Libraries Special Coll

Scheduling a Visit

Renovation Update:

The Special Collections Reading Room has been relocated to the third floor of Mullins Library in room 329 during Phase II of the Mullins Library renovation. The Reading Room is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Appointments are required. Please note that the Reading Room is closed daily from noon to 1 p.m. as staff break for lunch. 

Please review the modified services Special Collections will provide during the Mullins Library Phase II renovation. 

To schedule a research appointment in Special Collections, follow these steps:

  1. Register as a researcher with Special Collections.
  2. Identify the materials you would like to consult and place requests for those items in your Special Collections account.
  3. Schedule an appointment when submitting your requests. Note that requests must be submitted 3 business days prior to your appointment date.
  4. A staff member will confirm your appointment.

Note that you are limited to 10 active requests at a time. You may save as many materials to your account for future visits as you like, but you may not be able to consult them all on the same day.

Researching in the University of Arkansas Special Collections

The Special Collections Division at the University of Arkansas was created in 1967 to encourage research and writing in the history and culture of Arkansas and the surrounding region. Since then, our collections have grown to include architectural records, the personal papers of artists and musicians, historical records documenting the creation of the Fulbright program and international exchanges, as well as the University Archives, rare book collections, and much more. Special Collections also has exhibits throughout the year showcasing items from our collections.

 

Searching the Collections

To search for Special Collections materials online, you'll use either OneSearch to look for published materials including artists books, rare books, and zines, or ArchivesSpace, the database where you'll find our archival collections.

 

Doing Research in Special Collections

As a researcher in Special Collections, you'll first create your Special Collections account in Aeon. This online account is how you'll request to view materials in person in the Special Collections reading room, order reproductions of materials, and keep track of your requests.

To learn more about doing research in Special Collections and how to get started, please visit the guide below:

Creating a Special Collections Research Account

To request materials to view in the Reading Room or order reproductions, you will first need to create a Special Collections account in Aeon. Aeon is the automated circulation system that Special Collections uses to manage requests for materials.

  1. To set up your account online, go to: https://uark.aeon.atlas-sys.com/. Once you have a Special Collections account, this page is where you will log in.
  2. If you are a University affiliate, select the Login or Register button below Current Students, Faculty, and Staff. You will log in with your University credentials and be taken directly to a registration form.
  3. If you are not a University affiliate, click on the red Log In or Register button under Other users and then create an account by clicking Create an Account.
  4. After you have reviewed policies and procedures related to using Special Collections materials, check the box at the bottom of the page to acknowledge you have read the policies, and then click accept and continue.
  5. Once you have completed and submitted the registration form, you will receive a confirmation email and be able to request materials to view in the Reading Room and place reproduction orders.

View the video below to see an example of creating a Special Collections account.