Plan Your Visit
Before You Arrive
Swarthmore College Special Collections, including the Friends Historical Library, the Peace Collection, and the College Archives, are open to approved researchers.
Use this form to learn about Covid-19 safety protocols and to schedule an appointment.
When planning a visit to the Peace Collection:
Please contact SCPC staff in advance of your visit at: peacecollection@swarthmore.edu
Researchers interested in working with specific materials should inquire about them via phone or email before making travel arrangements since some manuscript collections:
- Are stored off-site and require two weeks’ advance notice before they may be available.
- Are restricted; you may need to obtain permission from the donor or the Curator before gaining access.
- Have been microfilmed. When microfilm is available, patrons are required to use that medium even while conducting research on campus. (Exceptions may sometimes be granted; please discuss this with the Curator.) Our microfilm may also be borrowed. Contact the interlibrary loan department of your public or institutional library for assistance.
How to Find Us
The Peace Collection is located on the lower level of McCabe Library. See the College’s Visit Swarthmore guide for directions to campus, information on local lodging and dining, and campus maps.
When You Arrive
Anyone is welcome to visit the collections, but researchers using its materials will be asked to complete a registration form and provide photo identification.
Researchers may bring laptop computers, flatbed scanners, and digital cameras to create reproductions for their research use, although photocopying and scanning may be restricted if items are fragile.
Guests are welcome to use campus wireless networks. Stop at the desk on the main floor of the McCabe Library for login information and help.
