Locate Archival Collections
Around the World
Harvard Library Research Guide for Specific Lists of Archival Resources from Around the World
Locating U.S. Collections
- SNACcooperativeSNAC is demonstrating the feasibility of separating the description of persons, families, and organizations—including their socio-historical contexts—from the description of the historical resources that are the primary evidence of their lives and work. A key objective is to provide researchers with convenient, integrated access to historical collections held by multiple private and public archives and libraries around the world while also setting the stage for a cooperative program for maintaining information about the people documented in the collections.
- ArchiveGridArchiveGrid is a collection of nearly two million archival material descriptions, including MARC records from WorldCat and finding aids harvested from the web. Includes a searchable database for catalog records for archival collections and items, and full-text guides to specific collections.
- Archive FinderA directory describing collections of primary source material housed in repositories in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland
- WorldCatWorldCat FirstSearch is a valuable tool for locating archival materials in addition to other materials. Use an advanced search method to limit to archival materials or to the manuscript format.
- National Union Catalog of Manuscript CollectionsSponsored by the Library of Congress, the NUCMC describes archival and manuscripts collections held by repositories in the United States and its territories
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Archival Research CatalogThis database searches the archival collections held by the United States National Archives and Records Administration.
Use Cornell Library's Services and Expertise
Use the Reference Librarians at Olin:
They can help you locate archival collections elsewhere, but also track down the vast numbers of digitized sources that are already available to you. Don't expect all of your materials to be available online, but if you are dealing with rare books, newspapers, serials, or other sources, you might be able to find digitized versions.
Talk to Inter-library Loan:
Even if archival collections are not digitized, heavily used or very important collections may be available on microfilm, which can often be lent to Cornell patrons via ILL, or have single reels or some sections of reels sent to you via PDF. Olin has great microfilm scanners that can convert microfilm to PDF as well, so that you can save materials as needed. ILL might also request single items from archival collections. It is always worth a try. Cornell's highly skilled ILL staff will work diligently on your behalf to get the materials you need.
Should I Pay or Should I Go?
Scanning Services:
Even if ILL can't get everything for you, if you have looked over a finding aid and determined that you really only need a few folders at an institution, or your plan is to photograph from a collection and then run back to Cornell to sort through it, it might not be worth making a trip. Many U.S. institutions have on-site scanning services that will scan a few folders for you at a cost. The cost is usually pretty high: you are paying for staff time to handle materials that are unique and often fragile and can't just be run through a photocopier. But that cost may still be less expensive than a trip.
Independent Research Services:
If there is a larger amount, you can also consider hiring an independent researcher to photograph for you. If you contact a repository, they might keep a list of contractors on hand. Graduate students from the local departments are often willing to make a few extra bucks as well. The costs vary from $25-$40 an hour, negotiable based on how much research skill is needed for the job.