One of our highest priorities is to support research and teaching at the University of Oregon. In addition, our collections exist to be used. We are available to assist with and coordinate instruction in courses where UO students are encouraged to use primary sources such as manuscripts, archives, photographs, rare books, films, and ephemera. Our collections are full of these types of materials and present endless opportunities for discovery and original research.

We have a dedicated instruction space (Ken Kesey Classroom) where our staff can present to your class on how to perform research using primary sources and examine materials related to specific subject areas.

We can accommodate 20 students seated at tables. Our classroom capacity is 35 people (standing room only). Due to library regulations, we host sessions strictly for current undergraduate and graduate students.

Please submit an instruction request using the link below. Requests must be submitted at least one month in advance of the proposed session.  Submissions are reviewed in the order received. We will confirm your proposed session after verifying the current schedule of our department faculty and our classroom, availability of materials, and applicable access policies.

Please also note that if you would like to have your class use our materials for a project, we highly advise bringing the class for an orientation session. Given current staffing levels, advance notice of class use of SCUA materials is required, and allows our staff to provide the most comprehensive service to your students.

Submitting an Instruction Request

If you would like to schedule a Special Collections and University Archives instruction session or would like to consult with us in designing a research assignment or special project, please contact us by submitting a request using the Schedule an Instruction Session with SCUA form.

• Requests must be made at least 1 month in advance before the requested date of instruction. We will offer alternatives if we cannot accommodate your requested date.
• Class sessions are not finalized until you receive a confirmation email with additional instructions about your session, including information about the assigned SCUA faculty member.

The form requires your contact information, the proposed date and time of your class, the number of attendees, the subject of this visit, and general background about your class, statement of what you hope the students will gain from the session, and a copy of the class syllabus. Please also include if you would like us to identify an exercise for your students during the session or throughout the term. For specific questions, contact Emily Moore, Instruction and Outreach Archivist (mlemoore@uoregon.edu), who coordinates our instruction program.

Please also note that if you would like to have your class use our materials for a project, we highly advise bringing the class for an orientation session. Given current staffing levels, advance notice of class use of SCUA materials is required, and allows our staff to provide the most comprehensive service to your students.

Preparing Your Students

We take great pride in encouraging use of our collections and ensuring the security of our collections. We will provide a general orientation, but you should also prepare your students in advance with the following information before arriving for the class session:

1. No pens, food, drink, or chewing gum are allowed.
2. Backpacks, briefcases, and computer cases/covers are not allowed. We provide lockers to secure personal items.
3. If they return to conduct individual research, materials must be used in the Paulson Reading Room. Laptops are allowed.
4. Registration is required to use materials.
5. Respect the fragile nature of our materials and handle them with care.
6. Some materials such as photographs or codices require special handling.
7. Remove one folder from a container at a time.
8. When using records and manuscript materials, please make sure the document goes back into the correct folder and that the folder goes back into the correct container.
9. Respect other researchers by keeping noise to a minimum.
10. To display, exhibit, publish, or download any of our materials, you must obtain our permission.