The Special Collections & Archives reading room is open Monday – Thursday, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
We encourage researchers to schedule an appointment during our open hours, using the appointment scheduler at this link. Please email archives@trinity.edu to schedule an appointment outside of our open hours.
If this is your first time visiting the reading room, please fill out the registration form before making an appointment.
Reading Room Guidelines:
Special Collections and Archives is located on the second floor of Coates Library.
The main entrance to the library is on the third floor; use either the stairs or elevator to go down one floor to the second.
Below is a map showing the North campus. The library is highlighted in blue and visitor parking is purple. Additional parking is available (green) at Alamo Stadium across Stadium Drive.
Special Collections and Archives Department: Access Policy and Procedures
The following access guidelines are intended to protect all visitors and staff, and to provide security and safety for materials preserved in the Special Collections and Archives unit (room 208) at Trinity University’s Coates Library.
Access to Special Collections and Archives closed stacks areas, and the reading room outside open hours must be supervised by Special Collections and Archives staff.
Visitor/Researcher Access
Policy: Researchers and visitors may access the Lobby and Reading Room of the Special Collections and Archives unit during regularly scheduled business hours available at the library website.
All Researchers and visitors are required to register on an annual basis by submitting the registration form.
Researchers and visitors may schedule appointments to access the Lobby and Reading Room outside of regular business hours by emailing archives@trinity.edu.
Researchers and visitors that have received approval to visit the closed, non-circulating storage and preservation areas of the Special Collections and Archives department must be supervised by Special Collections and Archives staff members at all times.
Library Staff Access
Policy: Library staff members requiring supervised access to the Special Collections and Archives department outside of regular hours must be accompanied by a Special Collections and Archives staff member. To schedule an appointment, email archives@trinity.edu.
University Staff Access
Policy: University staff members requiring supervised access to any area of Special Collections and Archives outside of standard research and use of materials should make an appointment prior to the visit by calling x7355 or emailing archives@trinity.edu.
Emergency Access
During Regular Open Hours: Individuals requiring emergency access to Special Collections and Archives during regular open hours should proceed directly to the location.
Outside of Regular Open Hours: Library or university staff members requiring access to the Special Collections and Archives department due to an emergency related to the safety and security of individuals or materials should contact x7355. If a staff member is not immediately available, leave a message documenting the date, time, name and department of the requestor, and access purpose by leaving a message. Contact TUPD at x7070 for supervised access in those cases where a Special Collections and Archives representative is not available.
Security Measures
For the protection of researchers, visitors, staff members, and materials located in the Special Collections and Archives department, the following security procedures are currently in place.