Archives & Special Collections

Consulting our collections: Autumn/Winter 2020

As Covid-19 restrictions ease, we are working hard to improve our service availability.  We are pleased that we are now able to offer limited in-person and digital access to our collections for University of Glasgow staff & students.

Find out about our Virtual Reading Room

Find out about our In-person consultations

Our restricted on-site time is focussed on supporting University staff and students during the 2020/21 academic year.  We are happy to answer enquiries about our collections from all researchers.  Please use our enquiry forms to contact us, or you can email us: library-asc@glasgow.ca.uk

Please note: we are currently unable to accept any new copying / scanning orders.   Please see the our digitised collections for items from our collections that are available online. 

Alterations to our services will be publicised on this website and via our social media. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this time.

Virtual Reading Room

Our Virtual Reading Room appointments are currently available for University of Glasgow students and staff.  These are 1-hour virtual consultations allowing you to consult ASC items.

• Appointments are currently available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays for consultations of our collections held on Level 12 of the University Library (Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Scottish Theatre Archive).
• Appointments will be offered on Mondays & Wednesdays for consultations of our collections held in Thurso Street from October.
• Appointment bookings should be made no later than 12 noon the day before you wish a consultation.  We are unable to offer appointments on the same day. 
• University of Glasgow students and staff can book through the Appointments Booking System.
• Once you have chosen your time slot, please specify the items you would like to consult on the booking form.  Up to a maximum of 3 items can be consulted during each appointment.
  
• We will e-mail you when your booking is confirmed.
• 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 are currently available for University of Glasgow students and staff.  These provide a 3 hour period to visit our reading rooms to consult our collections. 

In order to maintain appropriate physical distancing among readers and ASC staff we have reduced capacity for readers.  As such, access is by appointment only.

• Appointments are currently available on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays for consultations of our collections held on Level 12 of the University Library (Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Scottish Theatre Archive). 
  
• Appointments will be offered on Mondays & Wednesdays for consultations of our collections held in Thurso Street in due course- please check here and on our social media for updates. (University Archives & Scottish Business Archive).
  

• Appointment bookings should be made no later than 12 noon the day before you wish a consultation.  We are unable to offer appointments on the same day.
• University of Glasgow students and staff can book through the Appointments Booking System.
• Once you have chosen your time slot, please specify the items you would like to consult on the booking form.
• We will e-mail you with instructions once your booking is confirmed. 
• Your appointment is for one person only - you must not bring anyone else with you to the building. 
• Toilets will not be available on Level 12 but are available on other levels of the Main Library building.
  

• 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 designated area and use 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.