St Andrews University Library Special Collections

Staff

The Special Collections department is situated on Level 1 of the University Library which is on North Street behind the Crawford Arts Centre. There is a map of the area which shows that the entrance to the Library is from North Street between the Crawford Arts Centre and Butts Wynd by the University Chapel.

The Department houses the following material:

Rare Books and Special Collections. (All books printed before 1901 and some rare, later volumes are administered by the Special Collections Department.)
Manuscripts
Muniments
Photographic collections

These share a supervised Reading Room which is open for use by staff and students of the University, visiting scholars and the general public. Facilities include 24 reader places with power points for personal computers, microfilm and microfiche readers and printers, photocopying and photographic services.

Readers requiring research assistance, or those who wish to view items from the Photographic Collections, are advised to make prior appointments.

Postal and e-mail enquiries may be made to the department (see How to contact us) although we are limited in the extent to which research can be carried out on behalf of enquirers. There are no research or access charges.

If you wish to make enquiries about other aspects of library services, or ask about more modern books, you will find the information on the 'contacting library staff' page of the library website.

If you want to come to St Andrews to research your family history, the genealogy page will tell you whether we have material of relevance to you.

Staff

Opening hours

Term time :
Monday - Friday	9.00-6.00
Saturday	9.00-12.30
Vacation :
Monday - Friday	9.00-5.00

It cannot be guaranteed that books and mss can be fetched between 5.00 and 6.00pm or on Saturday mornings. Readers who expect to visit at these times are therefore advised to give us advance notice. For reasons such as staff shortage or training, we may occasionally have to vary these opening hours. Any such occasions will be advertised on the Bulletin Board).

Staff

Reading Room rules

General

Only readers registered with the Special Collections Department may use the Reading Room; registration is simple.
No pens may be used in the Reading Room We require that everyone use a pencil when making notes to prevent ink from damaging the rare books and manuscripts.
No food or drink is permitted in the Reading Room.
Bags cannot be taken into the reading Room; lockers are provided.
Coats should be hung on the hooks provided in the Reading Room or placed in lockers.
Please show consideration towards other readers and keep noise to a minimum. If you need to consult with another reader, please do so outside the reading room.
Do not use the Reading Room computers for word-processing, email or internet access. Computer facilities are provided for catalogue access only.

Use of Special Collections Resources
Please take special care when handling the collections whether books, manuscripts, plans or photographs.

Do not lean on anything produced for your use or rest your own notes on original material.
Please use book rests as appropriate to the size and condition of the volume. Book snakes are available to hold down pages.
Strips of acid-free paper are available to mark your place.
All manuscripts must be kept in their original order.
Weights are available to hold down the corners of rolled plans. Keep plans in order within their bundle and re-roll them so that the reference number is visible on the outside.
Gloves should be worn when consulting photographic material, to which special rules may also apply.

When you are finished and ready to leave

Readers are responsible for all the material they are consulting until it is checked back in. Do not leave material unattended.
Please remember to reclaim your reader card before you leave.

If in any doubt, please ask a member of staff for assistance; we are happy to help.

Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board

Staff

Useful sites:

Library Homepage

University Homepage

St Andrews homepage has information about accommodation for visitors and links to other websites with information about what's on and the town and its history

Train timetables. Leuchars railway station, about five miles from St Andrews, is on the main east coast line from London to Aberdeen. Buses and taxis to St Andrews are available at the station.