UCC Library: Special Collections: Handling Special Collections Items

Use Special Collections' Material

All material is for consultation only and cannot be removed from Special Collections or borrowed from the Library.

Advice to Readers
Can I bring water into Special Collections & Archives? Can I use a pen? Are there sockets in Special Collections & Archives? This document says what can be used in Special Collections & Archives.
No you can't bring in water or use a pen in Special Collections & Archives! Yes there are sockets!

Handling Material

When handling material please remember:

Hands must be clean
Use book snakes to keep book pages open
Use weights to keep maps or larger items lying flat
Use book rests/cushions to support bindings
Do not put any undue pressure on bindings
Do not lean on the original item
Never touch the surface of a print/drawing/photograph/map
Ask for assistance if using rolled items, or folded items with attached seals
Do not use flash on the camera

Food, drink and ink are not allowed in any of the reading rooms.

Please contact Special Collections staff if any assistance is needed.

How to Use Material in the Rare Books Reading Room
Guidance for what can be used or not used in the Rare Books Reading Room.

Videos: Handling Special Collections' Material

Collection Care Videos (BL)
The British Library Preservation Centre produced a series of videos to demonstrate careful use of collection items. This is to ensure Special Collections and users can work together to ensure the long-term preservation of material.

Presentation: Using Special Collections for Research

Using Special Collections for Research
An overview of what is Special Collections, the types of material found in Special Collections, why material is placed in Special Collections and ways of searching for material in Special Collections.

Accessing Special Collections Beyond UCC Library

If you want to visit other third level institutions there are various access schemes open to UCC staff and students.

In all cases please email the relevant Special Collections in advance in order to request the material. The staff in each institution will inform you of the relevant procedures which may be different to UCC Library's.

For more information about locating the relevant special collections' material to your study use the latest edition of the Directory of Rare Books and Special Collections in the UK and Ireland.

Directory of Rare Book and Special Collections in the United Kingdom and Ireland
ISBN: 1783300167

Opening Hours

Update 27 May: From Monday 31st May 2021 Special Collections & Archives is open Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 10:00-12:30, strictly by appointment, to UCC staff and students, and members of the public. Face-to-face services at Special Collections & Archives have resumed in a limited capacity: Monday-Friday 10:00-12:30. The service is open to UCC staff and students. Please note that we will have reduced capacity due to social distancing measures, and access will be by appointment only. Walk-ins and same-day requests will not be possible. To book items & a workspace please click HERE.

In addition we continue offering:

Scan & Deliver for Special Collections' material including items in the Reference Reading Room, Microform and items that show Special Collections by Request / Special Collections by Appointment on the library catalogue.
Reprographic requests for manuscripts & archival material via specialcollectionsarchives@ucc.ie

Every effort will be made to fulfil scan & deliver / reprographic types of requests, but this may not always be possible due to availability, copyright restrictions, size and condition of materials.

If you have any queries relating to our collections please email specialcollectionsarchives@ucc.ie. This email address is monitored regularly.