Using the Collections

Basics

A few basic procedures are listed below which provide for both the access to and continued preservation of the historically valuable materials at the CAC.  For a complete description of our Reading Room procedures see our researcher application form.

  1. The CAC is open to the public and welcomes patrons from the general public in addition to the university.  Please note, however, that our hours  are more limited than the main floors of the library.
  2. All materials at the CAC are in closed stacks and do not circulate.  To examine CAC materials, complete a researcher application form.
  3. CAC research materials are recoverable from the CAC's web homepage.  To search these resources, use the search bar on our homepage. For primary source manuscript materials, search the homepage with 'finding aid' selected below the search bar.  For general reference sources, search the library's catalog.  Scholarly publications and university published materials are searchable within ScholarWorks.  For genealogical resources, visit our Northwest Ohio Resources page and our genealogy page.
  4. Unless otherwise noted, no appointment is needed to access materials at the CAC.  However, some collections may not be fully processed and others are stored off-site.  These require advanced notice of at least two business days, as stated in the finding aid for the collection. Please contact the Reference Archivist for further information or questions.
  5. Visitors may bring computers, paper, pencil, and necessary notebooks into the reading room.  Pens, food and drink are prohibited.  All other materials must be stowed away in the areas provided by the CAC.
  6. Photocopying and scanning services are available at the CAC.  Patrons can scan materials to email free of charge, or make copies using a BG id or copy card using equipment available on the 5th fl.  CAC staff reserve the right to prohibit the copying of rare or fragile documents.  For more information on patron scanning and copying see these general tips.  
  7. High quality scanning services are available at cost and as time permits.  Requests are handled by CAC staff who reserve the right to prohibit scanning of rare or fragile documents.  Costs are charged per image scanned.
  8. Due to the fragility of some research items, some digitization services may only be provided by CAC staff. Please see our photograph and document reproduction fee schedule for more information on costs associated with this service. 
  9. Distance research is available for those unable to visit the CAC in person.  Please see our reference services page for additional information.

Updated: 08/18/2023 04:05PM