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Who may use Special Collections?
Special Collections is open to the public. To make an appointment, please call 301-504-5876 or e-mail Special Collections. Where is Special Collections located?
The Special Collections Reading Room is located on the 14th floor of NAL and is open to researchers by appointment. Please see Visiting the Library for directions to NAL, parking availability and other information to help you plan your visit.
What are your hours?
Special Collections is open by appointment only, Monday to Friday, except Federal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How do I make an appointment to visit or request reference assistance?
You may contact Special Collections in any of the following ways:
Telephone: 301-504-5876
Fax: 301-504-7593
E-mail: Special Collections
Mail:
Special Collections
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
May I request materials ahead of time?
Yes, you may contact us by phone, e-mail, fax or mail to arrange for materials to be pulled in anticipation of your scheduled visit.
May I browse or retrieve materials myself?
Our collections are housed in a secured area that is closed to visitors. Staff will bring books and manuscript collections to the Special Collections Reading Room for researchers to review. May I check out materials?
Special Collections materials do not circulate. Requests for photocopies and other types of reproductions will be filled in compliance with copyright restrictions and depend on the physical condition of the item.
Am I allowed to make copies myself?
Special Collections staff will make any photocopies dependant on the physical condition of the item. Please contact us for the photocopy fee schedule.
How can I access Forest Service Photographs?
In 2004, Special Collections transferred the "U.S. Forest Service Historical Photograph Collection" to the Still Picture Records LICON, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-S), National Archives and Records Administration II, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Phone:301-837-3530, Fax: 301-837-3621, e-mail: stillpix@nara.gov.
What type of material does Special Collections collect?
Special Collections is currently writing a collection policy that will guide donors in identifying types of materials that Special Collections accepts. In general, Special Collections is interested in working with donors to arrange for the transfer of manuscript collections, rare books, visual materials, and memorabilia items relating to the history and advancement of agriculture in the United States.
How do I make a donation?
Individuals or organizations in the field of agriculture donate their personal papers or archives to Special Collections. These collections are surveyed, arranged, and ultimately described in finding aids. Rare books, photographs, and other unique items are also donated by individuals or institutions to Special Collections . Please e-mail the Head of Special Collections for more information.
What USDA records does NAL collect versus the National Archives?
The National Archive and Records Administration collects the administrative records of the USDA, including records relating to civilian personnel, fiscal accounting, procurement, communications, printing, other common functions, and certain audiovisual records. On the other hand, Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library collects materials relating to agriculture in general and non-record material of the USDA. Materials such as the personal papers of USDA scientists and rare horticulture and botanical books fall within the collection policy of Special Collections.
How do I get permission to publish an image from the collection?
Print the Permission To Publish form, then fill out, sign, and return to Special Collections.
Can Special Collections make monetary appraisals for my rare materials?
Special Collections staff is prohibited from making monetary appraisals, but you may contact the following organizations to obtain contact information for qualified appraisers:
How can I volunteer for Special Collections?
- Student Internships
Special Collections provides students in the field of library science or agricultural related sciences the opportunity to handle and organize primary source materials, including manuscripts, rare books, photographs, posters, and artifacts. Credit may be earned for archives classes offered at local universities. Time requirements vary according to project specifications, but usually consist of 50 or 140 hours per semester. Projects may be customized to educational interests. A supervisory librarian provides instruction and completes paperwork required by the course instructor. To apply, please email Special Collections or call 301-504-5876.
- Volunteer Work
Special Collections staff encourages those who enjoy historical materials to help preserve the wide range of agricultural collections housed in the library. There are a variety of treasures to explore and handle such as nursery and seed trade catalogs, nineteenth century photographs and lantern slides, documentation of scientific experiments and travels, rare books with hand-painted images, printing blocks, and much more! Volunteer work is customized according to an individual’s skills and interests. Tasks may include organizing donated materials, re-housing items into archival folders and boxes, labeling items, database entry, preservation photocopying, scanning images, filing, and writing short descriptions of collections. A supervisory staff member is available to assist the volunteer and the two agree on a regular work schedule.
To find out more about Special Collections, see the homepage.
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