Policy on K-12 Visits to Special Collections at the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park, is a public research university, the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland, and the original 1862 land-grant institution in Maryland. The University of Maryland Libraries serve a wide-ranging community both in the immediate region and beyond.
The University of Maryland Libraries acquire, preserve, and make available special collections to promote scholarship and learning among campus, state, national and international communities. These collections are characterized by qualities of uniqueness, rarity, scarcity, value, research significance, as well as depth and breadth of subject coverage. As educators, the staff in Special Collections endeavors to impart the richness of our collections, joining with researchers to explore and interpret our holdings.
What are Special Collections?
Special collections have characteristics that set them apart from other types of collections in libraries. These special aspects may include:
- Rarity: books, manuscripts and other materials that are old, scarce or unique.
- Format: photographs, slides, films, audio recordings, maps, artworks, artifacts and other objects that need special handling.
- Comprehensiveness:accumulation of materials that are individually not unique but collectively make up an important resource because of their relevance to a particular topic, individual, or group.
There are many ways that a visit to the University of Maryland Libraries Special Collections can enhance a student’s education:
- Exhibit tours
- “Behind-the-scenes” Tours
- Introduction to Primary sources/Rare materials/Archives
- History Day projects
Projects relating to one of our areas of specialization: see individual special collections web pages for more information.
What are Primary Sources?
Primary sources are often found in special collections. Primary sources are usually defined as accounts or artifacts generated by an eyewitness or participant in past events. Interpretation and evaluation of these sources becomes the basis for historical narrative.
Special Collections Policies and Guidelines for K-12 Visits
Please Note:
- Special Collections Staff do not provide general library instruction. Please see the Libraries’ Policy on High School Visits to McKeldin Library for more information.
- K-12 visits in special collections will be conducted based on the availability of staff and facilities, and in consultation with Special Collections Staff to determine what type of visit is most appropriate for a specific situation. Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
I. Tours
We can provide tours of our facilities and exhibits on a first come, first-served basis.
II. Eligible Grade Levels
We may provide tours and instruction to students ranging from K to12. However, visits should be planned in consultation with Special Collections Staff to determine what type of visit is most appropriate for a specific situation. Students must possess the appropriate levels of maturity to ensure a successful visit.
III. Size of Groups and Chaperones
Depending upon the type of visit, the size of the group might have to be limited. As a general rule of thumb, two University of Maryland staff members can accommodate a tour group of 30 students. One chaperone must be provided for every ten students. Teachers and chaperones must accompany students throughout the visit.
IV. Timing for Visits
Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, provided staff and facilities are available. Please see the University of Maryland Libraries’ Hours for more information about hours and closings.
Arrangements for a K-12 visit should be made at least six weeks prior to the expected visit date. Please remember that this is a university campus and certain times of the year may be busier than others.
V. Planning a Successful Visit
In order to get the most out of a visit to Special Collections at the University of Maryland Libraries, school representatives should have a clear idea of learning goals for their students. It is important to communicate these goals when working with Special Collections Staff to coordinate a visit.
We strongly suggest that school teachers involve and partner with their school library media specialists in requesting and organizing visits to the University of Maryland Libraries.
To Request a Visit:
To request a visit, please contact:
Tom Connors 301-405-9255
Please note: Requests to visit are not automatically guaranteed. Consultation with Special Collections Staff is imperative to ensuring a successful visit.
