Learn how to search for, request, and use material from Laurier Archives and Special Collections. Laurier Archives and Special Collections holds unique archives, special collections, and rare books. Our collecting emphasis is on Wilfrid Laurier University, the environmental conservation movement in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and its Eastern Synod, music in Kitchener-Waterloo, and the history of Waterloo Region.Searching Laurier Archives and Special CollectionsThere are several ways to explore our holdings:Finding Aid DatabaseSearch the finding aid database to find archival material in our holdings. Finding aids contain descriptions of archival material and contextual information to facilitate interpretation of the material.Digital CollectionsSearch the digital collections to find over 15,000 images and documents from our holdings.Web Archiving CollectionsSearch the web archiving collections in Archive-It to find web content captured for long-term preservation.Library CatalogueSearch the Library catalogue to find published works in our rare book and reference collections.It can be challenging to search for and find archives, special collections, and rare books as some of our holdings are not yet searchable online. Please reach out to us if you need assistance:By email: libarch@wlu.caIn person: Julia Hendry Reading RoomRequesting MaterialContact Laurier Archives and Special Collections staff to request the material you wish to view in the Julia Hendry Reading Room. Please provide at least 2 business days' notice for requests as some of our material is stored offsite.Appointments are not necessary to visit the Julia Hendry Reading Room, however, they are recommended to ensure the material you would like to consult is ready for your visit. Please email libarch@wlu.ca to request material and to make an appointment. Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm.Once your request is received, staff may contact you for further information.Julia Hendry Reading RoomThe Julia Hendry Reading Room is located on the first floor of the Waterloo campus Library (L1-122). Our holdings are non-circulating, and all material must be accessed in the Julia Hendry Reading Room.The following are available in the Julia Hendry Reading Room:Microfilm readerOverhead scannerElectrical outletsJulia Hendry Reading Room RulesResearchers are reminded that they are working with archives, special collections, and rare books, which are unique and often very fragile. These rules outline your responsibilities as a researcher to help us preserve the holdings of Laurier Archives and Special Collections. Please note that these rules apply to all researchers and staff.Personal belongings, such as bags, purses, outerwear, food, and drink, must be stored in the lockers provided.Electronic devices, such as phones, laptops, small cameras, and personal dictation devices, are permitted in the Reading Room.Flash photography is prohibited. Non-flash photography is permitted with approval by staff.Pens, markers, and highlighters are prohibited in the Reading Room. Pencils are permitted and are available upon request.Do not write on archival records or rare books.Eating and drinking are prohibited in the Reading Room.Clean, dry hands are required to work with archives, special collections, and rare books. Do not apply hand lotion or hand sanitizer prior to handling archival records. Washrooms are available down the hall from the Reading Room for hand washing, if required.Gloves will be provided when deemed necessary by staff. In most cases, gloves are not required.Laurier Archives and Special Collections’ material must stay in the Reading RoomLeave archival records flat on the table surface as much as possible.For bound volumes, avoid forcing volumes to lie flat. Use book pillows or wedges provided by staff to preserve the binding of bound volumes.Maintain the order of the archival records in use. Do not change the order of the files within a box or items within a folder. Staff will provide a place marker, when necessary.Laurier Archives and Special Collections provides a range of copying services subject to copyright, donor agreements, and the physical condition of the records. Please contact staff if you require reproductions.Scanning RequestsYou may request digital scans of material from our holdings. Please note that not all items are eligible for scanning due to their condition. We are not able to reproduce large quantities of material. We encourage you to consult the material in person or hire a local researcher to consult the material on your behalf. Please contact us about your specific scanning request and page limits.Towards Reparative and Inclusive Descriptive PracticeArchives and Special Collections staff understand the impact language and images have on researchers accessing our collections and on the perpetuation of systemic and cultural bias. Although we cannot change the language or images within records or items themselves, we can provide context for this material, change the problematic and outdated language used to describe them, and name instances of discrimination found in our collections.Please let us know (form) if you encounter problematic or outdated language and images, stereotypes, or cultural references in our records or archival description. We appreciate your feedback as we work towards improving our archival descriptions.For more information, please refer to our statement on inclusive description and our Guidelines for Reparative and Inclusive Description.