The goal of Special Collections and University Archives is to preserve and make accessible collections and records of historical importance to the university, region, state and nation. Included in Special Collections:
- University Archives -- the non-current permanent records of the university, theses and dissertations, oral histories, year books, course catalogs, university publications, and photographs of yesterday and today.
- Manuscripts -- diaries, letters, legal and campaign files, photographs, and maps that document such subjects as the Civil War, Virginia politics, military history, African-American history, Norfolk urban redevelopment, women's history, and local history.
- Books and printed material relating to Virginia and Tidewater History.
Resources
All of our collections, with a few exceptions, are available to students and other researchers.
- Patrons wishing to use any material in the papers of former university presidents must have the written permission of Office of the President.
- Some collections may have confidential material that is closed to researchers.
Contact the Special Collections Librarian for more information.
The Special Collections Reading Room is located on the 3rd floor of Perry Library in Room 3023, in the front (east side) of the library.
In order to preserve the material collected in Special Collections researchers are asked to observe the following rules:
- All visitors must complete a registration form and present a photo ID.
- No food, drink, or smoking is allowed in the reading room.
- Use care when handling material - PENCILS ONLY - no pens or markers may be used when taking notes.
- All material in Special Collections must be used in the Reading Room. None of our material circulates.
Publishing Policy: No material from Special Collections may be published or reproduced without written permission from the University Librarian. Contact the Special Collections Librarian for more information.
Scanning and Photocopy Policy:
- Not all materials can be photocopied or scanned. Copying will be done as determined by the condition of the material.
- Photocopying and scanning can usually be done within 24 hours. However, larger orders may take longer.
- Limit of 100 pages per project.
- Photocopying and scanning charge: 10 cents per page. The first 10 pages are free.
Citation Format:
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], [Collection name], Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529.
Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions:
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
This Institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of that order would involve violation of copyright law.