Who can use the collections?
How they danced in Enfield, a Quabbin town
The Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center (SCUA) is open at no cost to researchers, regardless of affiliation, during normal business hours. SCUA staff are happy to support research and assist with planning, and we welcome inquiries from students interested in internships in archival and library studies.
Although research appointments are not required, advance notice may help our staff to locate and retrieve research materials. Some of SCUA’s collections are temporarily stored offsite; using these materials does require advance notice. Please check UMarmot to see if the collections you would like to consult are offsite, so you can plan your visit with the help of one of our archivists. First-time researchers will be asked to register and to provide name, institutional affiliation (when applicable), and current address. At registration, researchers must present a valid form of identification, including a photograph.
In the reading room
- Please sign in at the front desk each visit
- Only pencils and laptop computers may be used for taking notes. Please do not use pens.
- Please switch off cell phones or set them to silent mode; calls may be taken in the adjacent elevator lobby
- Smoking, food, and drink are not permitted
Care and handling of materials
- Please use care in handling materials to prevent damage
- Handwashing is encouraged both before and after using archival materials or books from our collections
- Use only a single box of manuscript or archival material at a time; take care to preserve the existing arrangement of files
- Photographs of materials are permitted for research purposes only
- Scans and photocopies are made by staff members in keeping with our copying policies
- Upon leaving for the day, please notify the staff whether you are finished with your material or wish to place it on hold for a return visit (you may also update your collection hold form)
Instruction in SCUA
Providing instruction in archival research and the use of primary resources is a priority for SCUA, and our archivists welcome visits from groups or classes at any level or of any affiliation. Please see our Teach & Learn page for more information!