Yale University Library Research Guides: Guide to Using Special Collections at Yale University: Information for Non-Yale Researchers

Accessing Yale Library Special Collections Reading Rooms

Special Collections units at Yale University are open to Yale-affiliated faculty, students, and staff. See individual repository websites for information on whether appointments are required to visit the reading rooms. Yale University Library special collections reading rooms are open to non-Yale researchers who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, when eligible. All researchers must register their vaccination status with the University prior to their arrival.

The Yale Library process and requirements outlined on this page also apply to accessing the special collections reading rooms at the Yale Center for British Art. Please contact the repository you wish to visit if you have any questions. Under current Yale Health and Safety Guidelines, masking is optional for vaccinated and boosted staff and visitors.

Register

Step 1: Make an account

Before coming to campus, you must have an account in Aeon, our online system for requesting materials from library special collections. If you have an existing Aeon account at Yale Library you do not need to create a new one. If you do not have an account, please follow these steps

1. Go to the Yale Special Collections registration site.

2. On the right hand side, click Create your account under Login Without NetID.

3. After filling out the online form, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on this link to confirm your email address.

4. Please consult our registration page for more information, including required identification.

Verify your vaccination status with Yale University

Step 2: Verify your vaccination status

1. Before starting this process, you must create your Aeon account. (Step 1, "Register")

2. Fill out the attestation form linked below.

For host email, enter: special.collections@yale.edu.
Find the attestation form here: Yale Vaccination and Booster Attestation form

3. You will be notified via email that you have successfully submitted your Visitor COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation.

4. Please bring the attestation email with you when you arrive for your visit; you may be required to show it to enter the library.

Request your materials

Step 3: Request your materials

Use request links in Orbis, Archives at Yale, and Quicksearch to request the materials you wish to view. Please note that many items must be requested two business days in advance of your visit. Due to high demand, you will be limited to ten active requests at a time. For more detailed instructions consult our Find & Request page.

Guide to Using Special Collections at Yale University: Information for Non-Yale Researchers