Visiting Special Collections
Middlebury Special Collections is open to members of the Middlebury College community and the general public.
Schedule a research visit
Before You Visit
Wash your hands before you visit. We don’t require gloves; freshly washed hands are best.
You are welcome to bring:
- Pencils (we have souvenir pencils!)
- Paper/notebooks
- Laptop
- Phone
Photos are welcome! (No flash please.) Visit Permissions and Copyright for more information on using the images you may capture.
Leave the following items in our lobby:
- Pens (unlike pencils, ink is permanent if accidentally splotched)
- Bags
- Coats (But keep your layers! We are climate-controlled, so it can get chilly)
- Beverages and food
During your visit
Help us preserve our collections for future researchers by following the handling guidelines:
- Special Collections materials do not leave the research room.
- As you review collection material in folders, be careful to retain the original order by turning the pages over, like turning pages in a book.
- If taking notes by hand, please use only pencils.
- Support material at all times by resting it directly on the table or on supports: do not place materials on your lap or hold folders or books in your hands.
- Handle photographs by their edges or within an enclosure and avoid touching areas with text or images.
- Handle all items with care. Use two hands to safely handle photographs, fragile objects, or brittle paper. Turn book pages slowly and from the center of the outer edge.
- Fold outs in books are fragile and are easily torn. Ask for assistance from staff to help unfold maps or illustrations.
- Open books only as far as they will open easily, without force.
- Special weights are available to keep books open, or rolled items flat. Please place only provided weights on top of collection materials.
- Leave materials as you found them, without adding or removing any mark or affixing anything to them.
- Consult the staff member who greeted you if you have questions.
Photographing our collections
- You are welcome to take pictures of our materials without flash.
- Please keep materials flat on the table surface when taking photographs.
- Please keep all materials inside their plastic enclosures, which protect them from damage.
- If you need assistance, consult a staff member.
We look forward to seeing you!
Have a question?
Ask us at go/asksc/.
Hours
Holiday and summer hours vary. See the Davis Family Library hours for details.
Visitors should familiarize themselves with our Visitors Policy ahead of coming to campus.
Location
Special Collections is located on the lower level of Davis Family Library. View the Middlebury College campus map for more information.
Middlebury Special Collections
Davis Family Library 101
110 Storrs Avenue
Middlebury, VT 05753
Parking
Visit the parking section on the Davis Family Library page for more information on visitor parking.
Teach With Us
During class or group visits our staff typically provide hands-on, guided explorations of our collections to cultivate historical imagination, encourage curiosity about the past, and deepen appreciation for historical materials.
Our teaching philosophy is to deeply engage students with original primary materials, to expose as many students as possible to our collections, and to provide them with the tools they need to analyze, interpret, and use primary documents.
If you are interested in setting up a class visit, contact specialcollections@middlebury.edu.
