Finding material relevant to your research
You can search all of our collection material using UCI Library Search and/or the Online Archive of California.
UCI Library Search Library Search is the discovery and catalog platform for all UCI Libraries material, including those held in Special Collections & Archives. In addition to records for our rare books and manuscripts, Library Search will provide you with links to our archival collections.
Online Archive of California. The Online Archive of California (OAC) is a database of finding aids, or collection guides for our archival collections. Most OAC finding aids include access notes, background information, and an inventory of the materials. Here, you can search and request individual containers from archival collections.
Digital Collections Our existing digital collections are always available for researchers to view. Our digitized materials include hundreds of thousands of images, documents, audio and video recordings, web archives, and other digital files.
Requesting material to view in person
Each record and archival collection has a request link to Aeon, our Special Collections request management system.
When you click on the request link, you can request the specific item you'd like staff to pull for you to consult with in the reading room. Your materials will be waiting for you on your selected date of arrival or 15-30 minutes later if you request your material from the reading room*
If you have not already created an account with Aeon, you will be prompted to do so when you hit the request link.
Once you have an Aeon account, you will be able to log in at any time to view and manage your requests.
If you have any questions please or issues please contact: spcoll@uci.edu
*Certain materials may take longer to be accessible. Please be aware of material that is stored at Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF), A/V material (even access copies require reformatting) or unprocessed collections. These may take up to two weeks to provide access.
Where to find the request links for Library Search records
The link to request items through Aeon can be found in the record under “Location Items."
Where to find the request links for Online Archive of California (OAC) finding aids
The link to request items through Aeon can be found near the top of the finding aid under “Get Items." It's helpful to take note of which specific container (usually a box or folder) from the collection you would like to request as the request form replicates the finding aid.
How to request your material and select your arrival date
Once you have clicked on the request link in Library Search or in the OAC Finding Aid, you’ll be brought to a request form that will allow you to either modify the details of your request, or select the specific box and folder you’d like to view.
The request form is for requesting items to be viewed in person in the reading room and requires you to select a date for your appointment. If you are already in the reading room, please select today's date.
Requesting material for Digitization
If you would like material scanned and delivered you’ll need to complete the steps above, however you will first need to click on the “Request Duplication” button at the top of the request form before filling out the form.
Once you’ve clicked the “Request Duplication” button this will add additional fields that will help you specify the exact nature of your request, such as details about the item, file type, and resolution.
Note: If you are requesting scans from the Jacques Derrida papers we must receive approval from the designates before we proceed. Please fill out a request form here before submitting your request in Aeon.
Due to limited staff, requests for scans of material can take from 1 week to 4 weeks depending on the number of items being requested.
If you have any immediate time-constraints or particular situations or circumstances, please email us directly at spcoll@uci.edu.
We will do our best to accommodate you.