Rare and Manuscript Collections

1. Sign in or create an account here.
2. Once you’ve arrived at your account home page, click the “To create a new request we recommend using the Cornell University Library catalog.” link to navigate to the Cornell University Library catalog.
3. Find the material you’d like to see using the search function. Information about how best to find specific archival material or rare books can be found here.
4. When you find the material you’re looking for, click on its title and you will be directed to its catalog record. Click the “Request Item for reading Room Delivery” button, then select the boxes or volumes you’d like to see and click “Submit.”
5. When you have requested all of your desired material, go back to your account home page. There, you can click the “Appointments” button at the top of the screen.
6. Click “Schedule Appointments” and double click on your desired date and time, then fill out the corresponding form. Click “Schedule.”
7. Click the “Close” button to finish requesting your appointment, or request additional appointments by double clicking on another date and time.
8. Your appointment request has been submitted. When your appointment has been reviewed, you’ll receive an email from us letting you know if your appointment has been altered or confirmed.

Appointment policies:

1. Appointments can typically be scheduled Monday-Friday, with two time blocks: from 10:00am-12:30pm and from 1:30pm-4:00pm. Complete hours can be found here. You can schedule a minimum of 1 hour or a maximum of 2.5 per time block. You can schedule both time blocks on a given day as long as seats are available.
2. Appointments must be scheduled at least 5 business days in advance. Last minute appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Group appointments cannot be accommodated on short notice. Please email rareref@cornell.edu for more information.
3. Appointments are for only one person. If you are working with someone else please let us know. Research partners will also need to create an account in order to have an appointment confirmed.
4. Appointments are not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from us.
5. If you are unable to keep your appointment at its scheduled date and time, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing rareref@cornell.edu. Because space is limited in the reading room, your seat may not be available if you arrive late for your scheduled appointment.
6. If your selected date and time is not available, it’s likely that all available appointments for that date and time are taken. Please email rareref@cornell.edu with questions.