Handling Special Collections Material

Beginners

Archives and manuscripts are unique, often fragile and irreplaceable. To avoid damage and deterioration, they need to be handled with particular care. This session will offer a practical introduction to handling archives and manuscript material.

• All University members (this includes colleges and departments)
• UL Readers with an interest in this field
• Further details regarding Cambridge University Library's eligibility criteria are available

• Handling of archives and manuscript material
• Potential requirements of different repositories

• To train participants in the appropriate and safe handling of a range of Special Collections material, from medieval codices to photographic albums
• To give participants hands-on experience of a variety of bookrests, weights and other reading aids

Demonstrations and practical handling

• To enter the University Library you must have either a current University of Cambridge ID card or a current Reader's Ticket. For more information and to apply for a Reader's Ticket, please see the Adminssions webpages.

• No pens or bags are allowed in the MSS reading room. Please see the Using the Manuscripts Reading Room page for more details.

One session of forty-five minutes

• Rare Books Room: An Introduction