Archives & Special Collections

Virtual Reading Room

Our Virtual Reading Room appointments are 1-hour video calls allowing you to consult ASC items.

• University of Glasgow students and staff can book through the Appointments Booking System.
• Appointment bookings can be made no later than 5 days before the start time of the slot, to allow us time to prepare. We are unable to offer same-day appointments.
• Requests from users outside the University of Glasgow with pressing research needs will be considered (email library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk).

• Level 12: Appointments are available on Thursdays and Fridays for consultations of our collections held on Level 12 of the University Library (Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Scottish Theatre Archive).
• Thurso St: Appointments are available on Mondays for consultations of our collections held at 13 Thurso St (University Archive, Scottish Business Archive).

• Please specify the items you would like to consult, up to a maximum of 3 items per appointment.
  
• We will e-mail you to confirm your booking.

• At the appointment start time we will email you a Zoom meeting link. (If you would prefer to use MS Teams for the call, please let us know when making your booking).
• During the session we will endeavour to answer any basic questions about the items you are consulting, but we are unable to undertake detailed research on your behalf. 

In-person consultations

Our in-person consultations provide a 4-hour slot for consulting our collections in one of our two reading rooms. Visitors are welcome to continue until 4pm when the reading rooms close. Access is by appointment only.

• All visitors should book through the Appointments Booking System. Visitors from outside the University of Glasgow will be prompted to register an account. 
• Available appointments are displayed on the system up to 4 weeks ahead of time - if you would like to book an appointment for a later period please get in touch (library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk) being as specific as possible about what you would like to see and the timetable to which you are working. 
• Bookings can be made no later than 5 days before the start time of the slot, to allow us time to prepare. We are unable to offer same-day appointments. 

Making an appointment

Level 12: Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays for consultation of our collections held on Level 12 of the University Library (Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Scottish Theatre Archive).

• University of Glasgow staff and students: please use the Appointment Booking System to select a date and time. 
  
• Visitors from outside the University of Glasgow: please click here to select a date and time. You will need to register an account if you have never used the service before.

Thurso St: Appointments are available on Mondays & Wednesdays for consultation of our collections held at 13 Thurso Street (University Archives & Scottish Business Archive).

• University of Glasgow staff and students: please use the Appointment Booking System to select a date and time.
• Visitors from outside the University of Glasgow: please click here to select a date and time. You will need to register an account if you have never used the service before.
• If you're interested in collections kept at 13 Thurso St but need stair-free access, please contact us on library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk to discuss whether a virtual appointment at Thurso St or transport of the items to the L12 reading room is the best option in this instance.
  

• When booking, please specify the items you would like to consult.
• We will e-mail you to confirm your booking. 
• Your appointment is for one person only - you must not bring anyone else with you to the building. 
• Toilets and hand-washing facilities are available.
  

• Please bring only what you need into the reading room: pencils, notebooks, laptops/tablets, phones; strictly no food or drink. Please hang up coats/outer garments in the designated area and use the lockers provided.
• Please let us know if you have any additional access requirements.
• Please consult our Reading Room regulations in advance of your visit.
  
• Please cancel your appointment if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, as detailed on the NHS Inform website.