How To Place A Request

UTARMS has moved to an online registration and request system, called Special Collections Access. Requests to consult archival collections or other materials, such as theses, books, and other, publications must be requested using the online form.

On this page: ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS | BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS, & THESES | REQUESTING THE SAME MATERIAL AGAIN FOR A RETURN VISIT


ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS

  1. Find the materials/boxes you want to see:

    • Search Discover Archives to locate the collections and specific materials/boxes you wish to view in the Reading Room. The Retrieval Code can be found in the top left corner in a light blue box.

    Example of the Retrieval Code box on Discover Archives

    OR

    • Use archival finding aids available on-line, provided by an archivist, or consulted in the Reading Room. Retrieval Codes are most often found at the end of series description or in a left- hand column of a file list.

    For additional information on the numbering system used in our finding aids, see How To Use Our Finding Aids.

  2. Access the online request form:
    • In Discover Archives, click the Request for Use in the Reading Room link

      Request for use in the Reading Room button

      OR

    • From the UTARMS website homepage, click the Request form link

Screenshot from UTARMS homepage showing request form link circled in red

From these links, you will be redirected and prompted to log in to your Special Collections Access account.

If you don't have an account, you will be prompted to create one, then re-directed to the request form, with the option to associate the request with an appointment.

  1. In the request form, enter the retrieval codes for the materials you'd like to request, and provide any relevant additional information.
  2. Once you submit the request, UTARMS staff will contact you to confirm your request(s):
    • If your material is on-site, it will be retrieved when you come to the Reading Room.
    • If your material is off-site, it can normally be retrieved within 2 business days.
    • If your request was placed while in the Reading Room and the material is on-site, the materials will be retrieved “on demand”.

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THESES, BOOKS, and PUBLICATIONS

  1. Find your items by searching Library Search

    • In the Item record, in the Get It section, under LOCATIONS, click University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services, and then click Special Collections Access link

  2. You will be prompted to log in to your Special Collections Access account.

    If you don't have an account, you will be prompted to create one, then re-directed to the request form, with the option to associate the request with an appointment.

  3. Once you submit the request, UTARMS staff will contact you to confirm your request(s). Please note: most theses are off-site and will require 48 hours notice. 

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REQUESTING THE SAME MATERIAL AGAIN FOR A RETURN VISIT

If you wish to return at a later date, to consult materials previously requested, you will need to make a new request – but this can be easily done without having to fill in the information all over again:

  1. In your Special Collections Access account, go to your Request History and choose the material you'd like to request again.

Screenshot showing the Request History menu link

  1. Choose Clone Request from the Actions drop-down menu.

    Screenshot showing the Clone Request button link

  2. Submit Request again, with the option of scheduling an appointment.
  3. UTARMS staff will contact you to confirm your visit and requests.

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