The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is located at the corner of Wall and High Streets on central campus, on the plaza enclosed by the Schwarzman Center, Woolsey Hall, and Woodbridge Hall. The Beinecke's vast collections include literary archives and rare publications from around the world, Medieval manuscripts, and Western Americana among many other subjects. You’ll find the Beinecke Library reading room hours here. Note that the Beinecke Library reading room is open late, until 6:45 PM, each Tuesday during Fall term 2023. 

Your first step for this assignment will be to decide which collection(s) to focus upon, and then explore the contents of the item(s) you choose. for each box on hold for this assignment that will take you to the spot in the finding aid where the contents listed are described. Some boxes list specific folders that you should focus on, so pay attention to that information. 

You don’t need to request anything for this assignment.

All the items listed below are on hold for HIST 128/AMST 228/GLBL 201 – Professor Engerman in the Beinecke Library reading room. Just review the list of items below, and make a note of the Call Number(s) you want to explore. When you arrive in the reading room, let the staff at the service counter know which call numbers you’d like to see, one item at a time.  

You can bring a laptop and camera with you into the reading room, but your other belongings will have to be secured in lockers on the ground level of the Beinecke building before you can go down to the reading room in the courtyard level. Security guards are there to assist you if you have questions. If you need pencils and notetaking paper while in the reading room, we will supply it. We encourage you to take photographs of items that pique your interest for this assignment, so you can consult those documents even when the reading room isn't open. Be sure to carefully record the call number and any relevant box or folder numbers for documents you photograph; you'll need this critical information in order to cite documents you reference or quote from. See the "Citing Your Sources" tab on this guide for assistance, if needed.

If you have questions or need assistance with getting started with this assignment, you can drop by the Beinecke Library any time we’re open – there is always a staff member on duty at the service desk who can assist you. You can also email Bill Landis (bill.landis@yale.edu) or Josh Cochran (joshua.cochran@yale.edu) for help. 

Important Note: Collection materials on hold for this assignment will be reshelved the day after the due date for your paper (that is, on November 20th). If you need something held for your consultation in the reading room after November 17th please be sure to make arrangements with a staff member at the service desk.