Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
Yale libraries are open to current students, faculty, and staff. View COVID-19 library updates..

Manuscripts & Archives: Resumption of Services Following COVID-19 Closure: Home

This guide provides up-to-date information about the phased resumption of services for researchers in Manuscripts & Archives.

General Timeline for Resumption of Manuscripts & Archives Services

Beginning Wednesday, September 1, 2021, through Wednesday, December 22, 2021:

In response to the pandemic, Manuscripts and Archives remains open only to Yale faculty, students, and staff who have been approved to be on campus during Fall term. At this point the university has not given us permission to admit Yale retirees, family members, alumni, other Yale affiliates, or the public. We will update this information if that situation changes during Fall term.  Please continue to monitor our website or the Library's COVID-19 Update: Library Reopening FAQ for updates.  We regret any inconvenience, and we look forward to welcoming our extended research community back into our reading room when Yale's public health guidance permits it.

  • The Manuscripts & Archives Reading Room is open by appointment only (no drop-in access is available) from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday,s and Fridays, and from 10 AM-4:30 PM on Wednesdays.
    • Please contact Ask Yale Library if you have questions about your status to access the library and special collections reading rooms.
  • Staff members are offering reference and consultation services: email mssa.assist@yale.edu. Please allow 3-4 weeks for a response to your query.
  • Instructions for ordering reproductions of items from the library's special collections are included in our Digitization Services guide, here: https://guides.library.yale.edu/c.php?g=1059325&p=8571876. Please note that Manuscripts and Archives provides broad access to its collection materials for personal research use, teaching, and educational purposes, under the provisions of Title 17, Section 108 of United States copyright law.

Watch this site for updates regarding Manuscripts & Archives services.

For More Information ...

See the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies website for information about accessing that completely digitized collection.

Manuscripts & Archives website.

Yale University Library website.

University and Library Resources for COVID-19 Information

For information about Yale University Library's resumption of services, see the COVID-19 Library Updates.

For information on Yale University reopening see COVID-19: Yale Actions and Response.