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UVic Libraries

Plan your visit

Students, faculty and community members are welcome to visit Special Collections & University Archives. We provide research help, classroom instruction and a quiet study space to use our materials.

Visit the reading room to consult the collections.

Instructors can book a class visit.

Accessing the collections

We welcome all researchers and visitors! However, a visit to Special Collections & University Archives is a different experience from visiting other areas of the library. 

To view our materials, please visit us in person and ask at the desk. We will help you select materials and use the reading room.

If you aren't able to visit in person, please contact us (speccoll@uvic.ca). We can help you access what you need.

Using the reading room

To help ensure the collections stay in good condition and remain accessible:

  • you can only use materials in the reading room
  • only pencils, paper and laptops may be used while consulting materials
  • food, drinks and pens are not allowed at any time
  • we will provide gloves as need while consulting certain materials 
  • check with staff if you want to make scans

Read the Special Collections & University Archives access policy for more information.

Accessing university records

Access to university records is governed by the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Requested records will be reviewed for private or confidential information. Access may be provided under a research agreement. 

Copy services

You are welcome to use a personal camera or phone to photograph material in the reading room. Ask a staff member before using the scanner.

Staff will permit scanning for most items if the material is in good condition and is not copy restricted. 

You can only use scans for the purposes of research and private study. If you wish to use a scan for any other purpose, you must first get permission from the copyright owner.

For other copying services in the library, see Printing, copying, scanning. 

Ordering copies

We offer limited digitization of our materials. For scans of a chapter or article, please place an interlibrary loan request.

For brief reproduction requests, please fill out the reproduction request form. You can also send the form to speccoll@uvic.ca. 

We reserve the right to revise or refuse an order due to preservation concerns, time constraints, or size of the material.

Licensing fees may apply if you plan to use materials for commercial publications. Contact speccoll@uvic.ca for more information.

Disclaimer

In receiving a reproduction from our holdings, you assume all responsibility for infringement of copyright or other rights in your use of the material. You must agree to hold harmless and indemnify UVic, its researchers, Board of Governors, executives, faculty, staff, employees, agents, successors and assigns, from and against any and all claims or judgments, including all associated legal fees, expenses and disbursements actually incurred, on a solicitor and own client basis, including but not limited to claims relating to infringement of copyright, trademark, invasion of rights of privacy or publicity, or libel that arise either directly or indirectly from any use by the requester of the images and/or materials provided by the Libraries, UVic, its researchers, Board of Governors, executives, faculty, staff, employees, and agents. 

Information for instructors

Special Collections & University Archives welcomes undergraduate and graduate classes. We have 2 classrooms located next to the reading room and can help plan your visit. Request a class visit in advance to allow us to accommodate you.

Librarians and archivists are available to teach sessions. You can choose to lead the session yourself, have a librarian or archivist lead the session, or teach collaboratively.

We are happy to introduce you to the collections and suggest materials that may best fit your course or research interests. We can also place materials on reserve for course assignments.

Email speccoll@uvic.ca for more information about policies, classrooms and teaching support.

Room use policy

The library's lower-level rooms (A003 and 025) are set aside as teaching and learning spaces for Special Collections & University Archives.

When not reserved by Special Collections & University Archives, the rooms are available to other UVic partners. They are also available as student study spaces when not in use.

We give priority to:

  • classes, events and lectures led by Special Collections & University Archives
  • university classes that require Special Collections & University Archives materials for teaching and learning outcomes

For booking inquiries, please contact:

Lara Wilson, Director, Special Collections & University Archivist
Special Collections & University Archives
Mearns Centre - McPherson Library
ljwilson@uvic.ca
250-472-4480