The Drexel University Archives welcomes members of the public to use the resources in its collections free of charge.Researchers may visit the Archives in person by appointment.

If you would like to visit the Archives, we encourage you to contact us at archives@drexel.edu with a general description of your research so the Archives staff can offer guidance prior to your visit.

Reading Room Rules

In order to protect our materials and create a positive research experience, we ask researchers to follow these rules:

• New users must register with Archives staff.
• Food and drinks are not permitted in the reading room.
• All materials should be handled with care. Folders and documents within folders must be kept in the order in which they are found.
• Do not wirte or mark any materials. Use of pens is not permitted in the reading room. Pencils are available upon request.
• Coats and bags must be left by the coat rack. Only permitted research tools (notebooks, pencils, laptop, camera) may be used at the study tables.
• Due to space limitations, reading room seating is only for persons utilizing the Archives collection.
• If you would like to request scans of any materials, please ask the Archives staff. Due to preservation and copyright concerns, not all material can be scanned.
• Digital photography and personal scanning of material will be permitted at the discretion of the Archives staff.

Request Off-site Materials

How to access collections housed in our off-site Archives facility:

• If you see an item in the catalog marked 'Ask Archives,' please contact us at archives@drexel.edu to place a request.
• Items will be available for use in the Drexel University Archives approximately 24 hours from the time of the request.
• Material requested on Friday will be available the following Monday.
• The Archives is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, as well as mornings by appointment.
• Some items can be made available during the library's open hours. Please contact us if you would like to make a special arrangement to use items when we are closed.

Research Inquiries

For genealogical searches, please provide the following information:

1. Name of person (Note: provide maiden name when appropriate)
2. Affiliation with Drexel: student, faculty, staff, guest speaker, etc.
3. Date range of enrollment in or employment at Drexel
4. Other information: area of study, city of birth, etc.

For all other general search requests, please provide the following information:

1. Research topic and purpose for research
2. List of sources already consulted

Research Services Fees

For those unable to visit the Archives in person, we provide genealogical and other research services. First two hours of research and scanning are free, then for each additional hour of research and scanning (Note: minimum charge).

Accepted forms of payment: check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to the Drexel University Libraries and mailed to: Drexel University Archives, W.W. Hagerty Library, 3300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Credit card payment may be made online via TouchNet.

Please allow up to two weeks for research and scanning. Additional fees may apply if the information is required in less than two weeks.

Publication/Reproduction Fees

To obtain a publication/reproduction permission form, please contact us archives@drexel.edu.

Payment Information:

Accepted forms of payment: check or credit card.

Make check payable to Drexel University Libraries and mail to:

Drexel University Archives
W.W. Hagerty Library
3300 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Credit card payment may be made online via TouchNet.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. Under certain conditions specified by the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be 'used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.' If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of 'fair use,' that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The Drexel University Archives reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. The granting of permission to publish by the archives does not absolve users of materials from securing permission from copyright owners and payment of such additional fees as the owners may require if the archives does not own copyright or if the material is not in the public domain. Applicants assume all responsibility for questions of copyright and invasion of privacy that may arise in copying and in the use made of the photographic copy.