The primary mission of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library is to serve the faculty, students, and staff of Duke University. We can sometimes support younger students as our staff time and classroom availability permit. In working with non-Duke groups, those with a Duke affiliation such as the Pre-College Programs and John Hope Franklin Scholars take priority over K-12 groups without such a connection.
Teacher Instruction
If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with a Rubenstein Library staff member to discuss ways to incorporate facsimiles of documents or digital collections into your teaching, please contact us.
Digital Collections & Resources
Rubenstein Library Digital Teaching Resources
Librarians and archivists at the Rubenstein have created more than 20 modules based on digitized primary sources from our collections on a range of topics. Each includes a lesson plan and can be adapted for in-person, remote, or asynchronous classroom settings. We also have suggestions for additional assignments and activities to support primary source literacy.
Duke Digital Collections
We’ve digitized thousands of primary sources from our collections, including historic advertisements, oral histories, Duke University construction photographs and other items concerned with University history, North Carolina history, documentary photography, and more.
Digital Teaching Resources from Other Institutions
- Museum of Durham History: Student and Teacher Resources
- North Carolina Maps: Resources for K-12 Teachers and Students
- UNC Chapel Hill Database of K-12 Resources: Lesson plans and activities
- Digital Public Library of America: Primary Source sets and Lesson Plans
Exhibits
- Bring your students to visit one of our current exhibitions in-person or have them explore one of our online exhibits, and use our analysis questions to help students critically evaluate both individual items and the exhibit as a whole to build primary source literacy.
- Check Library Hours, which are subject to change based on the Duke University class schedule.
Class Visits
Staff members of the Rubenstein Library prioritize our responsibilities to Duke University students, faculty, and staff. Depending on other commitments and with the approval of the Head of Research Services, we may be able to provide topical presentations for visiting elementary, middle, or high school classes. Please contact us to describe your pedagogical goals and arrange a date and time for the visit. You will be paired with a librarian or archivist who will host as your class and serve as your point of contact.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Class Visits
How much advance notice do I need to provide?
We require a minimum of four weeks notice before you hope to visit. During much of the academic year, our staff and classrooms are fully occupied. It may be possible for us to schedule a visit when Duke classes are not in session.
What size groups does the Rubenstein Library allow?
Due to the sizes of our teaching spaces, we cannot accommodate groups larger than 16 people.
What ages does the Rubenstein Library allow to visit?
We do not have a prescribed age range for class visits. Teachers should contact us to discuss details.
What supervision does the Rubenstein Library require?
All elementary, middle, or high school classes must be accompanied by a teacher and additional chaperones at all times. All elementary and middle school classes must have at least one adult for each five students and they will be expected to actively monitor behavior and the handling of our rare materials.
Does the Rubenstein Library allow students to return after a class visit?
The David M. Rubenstein Library is open to the public. We do not have a strict age requirement, but expect all our researchers to comply with our reading room policies.
How can I prepare my students in advance of our visit?
Please let your students know that, due to the nature of our materials, we will ask that they place any bags or backpacks well away from the display tables. We do not allow pens, food, or drink near the books and manuscripts. Students must have clean hands. Students may take notes using loose paper and a pencil and may take pictures of interesting items so long as they do not use a flash.
Please communicate your excitement and curiosity about what you will see! You have established the class dynamic, so please model the behavior you wish to see in your students.
Where are you located and where do we park?
Our Visit Us page has detailed directions to campus and the Rubenstein Library and parking information.
Contact
Please contact us to ask about scheduling an elementary, middle, or high school visit.
