• Special Collections has two sections: Rare Books and Manuscripts. Our Manuscripts materials include unpublished papers, photographs, scrapbooks, magnetic media of all forms and other miscellaneous items that require special treatment; many books in the Rare Books section are fragile, easy to damage and difficult to replace.

• Special Collections has only one half-time staff member working on a dialy basis.

• Special Collections' office hours are 1pm-5pm Monday through Friday, based on staff availability. The only way to guarantee someone will be able to help you, however, is to make an appointment.

For these reasons, access to Special Collections materials is more difficult and perhaps more time-consuming than using other materials in the library. Here are some suggestions for making your use of Special Collections easier and (hopefully) more enjoyable:

1) Use the search engines first. Rare Books can be found in the Library Catalog, but to fully search our manuscripts materials you must use our Manuscript Search Engine. This will help you determine if Special Collections has any materials you can use.

2) Make contact. When you find something you wish to view or use, let Special Collections know before you come over. This allows the staff to have the material ready when you arrive, and also makes sure the material will be available even if the staff can't be. You can also arrange to use materials in the evening or on weekends.  Use the Contact List below.

3) Come prepared. Special Collections has several rules regarding material use that do not apply to materials outside Special Collections.  Our Access Rules are below as well.
 

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Contact List
 

U. S. mail: Special Collections, Zach S. Henderson Library, Georgia Southern University, Post Office Box 8074, Statesboro, GA 30460

Telephone: Special Collections' phone number is (912) 871-1897. There is voice mail if no one is available when you call.

E-mail: Special Collections' e-mail address is specolle@georgiasouthern.edu

WWW: Go to Special Collections Queries/Requests for assistance.
 

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Rules for Using Material Housed in Special Collections
 

1) All Special Collections materials must be used in the reading room.
 

2) No food is allowed in the reading room. Please be careful with beverages.
 

3) Anyone wishing to examine an item must tell the attendant what item/collection is wanted and the purpose for which it is to be used.
 

4) Only one (1) individual item or box of a collection may be used at a time.
 

5) Material is to be handled with care.
 

6) Only pencils may be used for taking notes.
 

7) Arrangement of materials within folders, and folders within boxes, must be preserved. When using a box, take out one folder at a time, and mark the folder's position with the insert given to you by the attendant.
 

8) When you wish to get copies of material, check with the Special Collections staff first. In some cases, there are restrictions on making copies of the materials.
 

Last (but not least):

PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE USING SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MATERIAL