The Archives and Special Collections department is located on the second floor of Cudahy Library, room 218. The Congressional Archives, part of Special Collections, is located in room 301 of the Klarchek Information Commons.

Are appointments required?

Due to limited staff and space, appointments to use all collections are required. Walk-in questions will be accepted only if staff and space are available. Researchers planning a long-term project at the archives are advised to contact the University Archivist as soon as the specific dates for the project are known so that arrangements can be made to ensure staff and space availability.

When making an appointment please provide information about your topic and which archival collections you are interested in, if known. For rare book appointments please provide the call number of the volumes needed.

What is in the Archives?

The Archives collections contain University records as well as papers and records of individuals and organizations not related to Loyola University Chicago. In addition, the department is home to the rare book collection. University records date from the establishment of St. Ignatius College in 1870 and include records of offices, departments, and schools; photographs of campuses, buildings, events, and people; and publications, including yearbooks, catalogs, and student newspapers. The Congressional Archives holds the papers of former Congressmen Henry Hyde and Dan Rostenkowski.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public are welcome to use the collections of the Archives and Special Collections department. All researchers must abide by the reading room rules.

Use only a pencil while working with materials; no food or drink in the reading room; signing the daily log upon arrival; and filling out a researcher registration form are some of the reading room rules. More information is provided upon arrival at the Archives.

Can I have photocopies made of materials?

You can request photocopies of materials you use while at the Archives. The Archives reserves the right to limit the number of copies made or to refuse to copy an item if such copying will infringe upon copyright or damage the material. Copies of entire books or archival collections are not made. There is a charge of $0.25 per copy.

Scanners are not allowed at the archives. Researchers wishing to use a digital camera must request permission from the archivist prior to arrival at the archives. The decision to allow the use of a digital camera in the archives is made on a case by case basis. The Archives reserves the right to restrict or deny the use of digital cameras.