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Finding Our Materials

Here are some brief tips for locating materials in Special Collections and Archives. Staff are also happy to assist you with any questions you may have about this search process. To contact us before your visit, please email special.collections@unlv.edu

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language in Archival and Digital Object Description

Books

  • All books in Special Collections and Archives have been cataloged and their records can be found in the library catalog (change Search Scope to Special Collections and Archives). A keyword search is available to locate items, but they are also searchable via title, author, subject, call number, and ISBN number if you have it.                              
  • To request a book, please fill out and sign a call slip (provided at the front desk) for each book that you request. For oversize books, please indicate OVERSIZE on the call slip next to the call number.

Periodicals/Magazines

  • Periodicals or magazines are cataloged (by title ONLY) and their records can be found in the library catalog. For oversize periodicals, please indicate OVERSIZE on the call slip next to the periodical title. 
  • To request a periodical, please fill out and sign a call slip with the periodical title you would like, and include the date range of the issue or issues you would like. For example: Casino Journal, Jan-Dec 1995. Please include only one periodical title per call slip.

Oral Histories

  • A list of our oral histories can be found in the Special Collections searchable database which provides information on whether a transcript is available for patron use. In some cases, a digitized transcript will be linked to the record. Please note that some oral histories have been cataloged and their records (searchable by interviewee’s name, interviewer name, subject, and call number) can be found in the library catalog.
  • To request an oral history, please fill out and sign a call slip for each oral history interview transcript that you would like to view.
  • If there is no transcript available, please ask at the reference desk if a digitized audio version of the oral history interview is available for patron use. We do not permit use of original audio cassette tapes, due to their age and fragility.
  • For remote users, please note if there is no release form is on file for the interview, the interview is only accessible on site.

Manuscript Collections

  • All manuscript collections in Special Collections and Archives have a brief catalog record and can be found in the Library Catalog. They are cataloged by title and subject and include an abstract and link to a complete finding aid.
  • If you are not sure about how to use a finding aid - consult our short video Finding Aids: The Key to Research in Special Collections and Archives.
  • A brief abstract for each manuscript collection (with a link to a complete finding aid) can also be found by searching the Special Collections and Archives portal.
  • To request a manuscript collection, please consult a finding aid first to determine which boxes you would like to see. When filling out a call slip, include the collection name, number, and the box numbers you are requesting. Only three boxes are allowed per call slip.

Photographs

  • Over 400 photograph collections are available in Special Collections and Archives. Each collection is organized by name, and each individual photograph is listed by caption and number within a collection. The majority of them are searchable by their individual captions and finding aids in the Special Collections and Archives portal.
  • Other photographs are located within individual manuscript collections and must be searched via our finding aids.
  • Many of our photographs have also been digitized, and can be searched via our Special Collections and Archives portal. Remember to use the Refine My Results column on the right and limit to digital objects to see digitized photographs. High res images can be download directly from the portal but be aware that you will need to secure permission if you wish to use the photographs for any use beyond research and study.
  • To view photographs in person in the reading room, please list photograph collection numbers and individual photo numbers (####-####) on a sheet of paper and request at the reference desk.
  • If you are requesting photographs that you found in one of our digital collections, please include the digital id number listed in the photograph's metadata at the bottom.

Maps

  • The majority of maps in Special Collections and Archives have been cataloged and their records can be found in the UNLV Libraries online catalog. Maps located in Special Collections and Archives are marked as UNLV Spec Maps.
  • To find maps, search by SUBJECT or KEYWORD using the word "maps" with a geographical or subject term. For example: Maps – Las Vegas or Maps – Nevada or Maps—Railroad. 
  • Nevada’s USGS topographical maps, both 15 and 7.5 minute series, are arranged alphabetically in the map cases in the Special Collections Reading Room.
  • To request a map, please fill out and sign a call slip for each map and present it at the reference desk. Alternatively, you may browse the map cases in the reading room to find a map that you would like or search for digitized maps via our Southern Nevada History in Maps digital project.
  • Please do not refile maps; leave them on the table or on top of the map cases.

Vertical and Biographical Files

  • Vertical or subject files have been removed from their original filing cabinets in the reading room and now comprise the following manuscript collection: UNLV Libraries Collection of Regional History Files. Please fill out and sign a call slip listing the name of the vertical file that you are requesting and present at the reference desk.

University Archives