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How do I schedule an appointment?

The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives offers two types of appointments, with links to both located under the Visiting the Archives section of the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives’ homepage.Ìý For researchers who are unsure of what material to view, select .Ìý For researchers who have completed the Reference Appointment or know which material to view, simply select .Ìý Reminder:Ìý patrons who are 15 minutes late (or more) will lose their appointment time, and they will need to reschedule.ÌýÌýAppointment bookings begin with the earliest time of the appointment time range; for example, an appointment scheduled from 12-4 p.m. has an arrival time of 12 p.m.ÌýÌýThe ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives requires that all members of a research group schedule their own appointment booking to ensure available seating within the Reading Room.

What if I need quick research help?

For quick research questions, you may select under the Research Assistance section of the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives’ homepage, or you may access Archives help on the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Torreyson Library’s Chat with a Librarian feature.

What can I bring to my research appointment?

You may find all of the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives reading room policies and procedures in the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Reading Room Policies and Procedures form.ÌýÌý ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Reading Room Policies and Procedures .docx

What forms will I need to complete for my research appointment?

All researchers must complete the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Research Registration form and the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Reading Room Policies and Procedures form.Ìý Regardless of if a researcher has previously visited the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives, the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Reading Room Policies and Procedures form must be completed at every visit to ensure the policies and procedures are adhered to in every visit.Ìý Materials needed for the registration form include a form of photo identification (your Driver’s License or ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ ID, for example).ÌýÌý ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Research Registration Form.docx ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Reading Room Policies and Procedures .docx

I’ve never conducted research before, how prepared should I be before my visit?

Visiting researchers should have an idea of what material they wish to view, as well as a narrowed research topic.Ìý While the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Staff loves researching and facilitating research for patrons, we cannot conduct the research for you but will provide access to materials for your research needs.Ìý ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Staff will conduct a preliminary research interview prior to approving a patron’s research appointment.Ìý The preliminary interview will include discussing with the patron the topic of interest and potential collections and material to be viewed.ÌýÌýResearchers’ Guide to the Archives

I noticed there are so many Manuscript Collections…where do I begin when using them for research?

The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives created a Collection Resource Guide for the Manuscript Collections to help researchers, staff, and patrons navigate the 350+ manuscript collections under our stewardship.Ìý While there are a wide range of categories presented, the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives suggests that the guide be used as a starting point for researchers.Ìý Pro tip:Ìý read the category and subcategory introductions, footnotes, and appendices for valuable contextual information!ÌýÌýManuscript Collections Resource Guide

Is there any material that I cannot view during my visit?

Unfortunately yes.Ìý Several archival holdings are in mediums which are degrading, so material such as reel-to-reel, cassette tape, and VHS may not be available to researchers until the digitization project for these materials is complete.Ìý ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Staff will notify visiting patrons if the material they wish to view is unavailable at the time of their scheduled appointment.

I noticed that other archives have backlogs, does the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives have a backlog?

Yes.Ìý Like many archival institutions, the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives has a backlog of material to be processed.Ìý The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives is working on strategic planning to address this area of need.Ìý For information on newly processed collections, as well as new acquisitions and newly digitized material, check the New to the Archives section on the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives’ homepage.

ÌýWhat does the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives accept?

For potential collections, the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives may accept material which reflects the mission and vision statements, which are in progress, and the collection policy.Ìý Before the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives officially ingests new material, a preliminary visit must take place where ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Staff can view the material.Ìý Once it is determined that the material aligns with the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives mission and vision statements and collection policy, a Donor Agreement form must be completed for the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives authority records.ÌýÌýUniversity of Central Arkansas Archives Donor Agreement.docx ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives Collection Policy

Are there any limits to what can be digitized?

Yes.Ìý Digital requests will be limited to 1 file or 25 pages, whichever occurs first to best fit the needs and current staffing of the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives.Ìý Additionally, some collection material may be too large to accommodate the current digitization equipment ( ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives staff will notify patrons of this during their digital request inquiry).

Who works in the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives?Ìý Who will help me during my visit?

The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives currently consists of the Head of Archives & Special Collections–Phoenix Smithey; Library Archives Support Specialist–Shelbea Gentry; Mary Cook–Archives Technician II.

Does the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives have social media?

Yes!Ìý The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives has accounts on , andÌýÌý(Links to social media are also located on the About Us page.)

Does the ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives have a blog?Ìý What is typically posted?

Yes!Ìý The ÿÈÕ´óÈüÍøÕ¾ Archives has a blog, and typically collection highlights are posted there as well as in-depth posts about new acquisitions and newly digitized collection material.