Reference Overview

Duke University’s Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, located in the William R. Perkins Library building, is open to the public: Duke University students, faculty and staff; visiting researchers; and members of the community. We provide reference service for both visitors to our Dalton-Brand Reading Room and for remote users.

The links below will help you get started. We encourage everyone to consult the relevant resources before contacting us with questions.

• Finding materials
• Research Centers
• Collections
• Digitized Collections
• Subject Guides
• Exhibits
• Using RBMSCL for Research: A Tutorial
• Ask a Question

Many of our collections are housed offsite and require advance notification of one full weekday for retrieval.  Additional books and manuscript collections are being moved offsite as we prepare for the renovation of our current location.  Contact us to request retrievals in advance of your visit.