Archives and Special Collections
Hours | Access | Directions | Services | Contact Us
Archives and Special Collections Hours
During the summer:
Monday through Friday: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PMSaturdays and Sundays: CLOSED
Monday, May 28 and Wednesday, July 4: CLOSED
or by appointment at 847-735-5064 or 847-735-5071.
Patrons arriving from off-campus are strongly encouraged to call or email before visiting.
During fall and spring semesters:
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PMTuesday: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Thursday: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Also by appointment (email amiller@lakeforest.edu or call 847-735-5064; also 847-735-5071).
The Fall semester runs from late August to mid-December and the Spring semester generally runs from mid January to mid May (see academic calendar).
During Winter Break and other times when the College is not in session, access is by appointment only.
Exhibits can be viewed in the lobby outside the department whenever the library building is open.
Access to the Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections is open to researchers at the discretion of the College, and some materials may be restricted. Generally, though, books and periodicals as listed in the College’s library catalog are available for consultation during posted hours (though they do not circulate, can’t be checked out), for campus community and other users, upon presentation of identification, completion of registration, etc. For access to archival and manuscript record groups or photographs, though, visitors should arrange an appointment.
Directions to the Archives and Special Collections
The Mr. and Mrs. James R. Getz Archives and Special Collections, Donnelley and Lee Library, is located on Lake Forest’s Middle Campus, with two entrances off of Sheridan Road, south of Deerpath in east Lake Forest. The library (building number 15 on this map), is at the east end of the loop, opposite Campus Circle and between the Mohr Student Center (south) and Hotchkiss Hall (north).
Parking is restricted, especially between 8 and 5 weekdays during the academic year, and visitors should leave a note on their windshield, noting that they can be reached c/o Archives and Special Collections. If a parking ticket is received in a regular parking place (vs. in front of a fire hydrant), please notify us.
The library is approximately a ten-minute walk from the Lake Forest station on the Metra North Line, from Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center (not the northwest line from Union Station, which goes to west Lake Forest—well beyond walking distance). Trains are hourly weekdays, with more frequency in rush hours, and approximately every two hours on weekends.
The Archives and Special Collections area is on the library’s lower level, down the main staircase from the main lobby and then to the left, behind the plate glass windows. From the elevator, on the lower level turn left and go to the wall; then turn right and the reading room will come along on your left.
Archives and Special Collections Services
Archives and Special Collections materials are consulted in the reading room during posted hours, or by appointment. Books and materials do not circulate, but can usually be held between visits to prevent waiting upon return.
Depending on the condition of the books and materials, copies can be requested, to be made by staff on a supplies-cost-recovery basis only (ten cents per page). Photographs and scans also can be made internally, and in some cases sent out for processing by professional photographers, etc., again on a cost recovery basis. Copies may be subject to copyright restrictions.
Permission to publish images or from manuscripts, etc. requires completion of a form.
Reference queries are welcome, and will meet with a prompt reply especially when they are brief, specific, and relate to materials in our collections. Whenever possible, questions beyond the scope of this collection will result in some referrals to other appropriate repositories. In theory, at least, detailed and longer-term research in this collection can be arranged for, by a paid researcher—student or otherwise, depending on the subject and depth of the query.
Contact Us
For reference queries and to make an appointment:
Contact Arthur Miller, Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections, at amiller@lakeforest.edu or by online form.
PLEASE INCLUDE:
(1) YOUR NAME, (2) LOCATION, AND (3) PHONE NUMBER to assist us in our follow-up and reply.
If telephone is more appropriate, please call Arthur Miller at 847-735-5064. If you leave a voice message, kindly begin with stating your name and then giving your phone number, and repeating these — especially if you are calling from a mobile phone. Then please continue with the subject of your call.
Thank you!
During our open hours, too, our reading room phone will be staffed: 847-735-5071; phone here for help with materials listed in the library’s catalog and described with locations on this unit’s websites.
Letters can be sent to:
Arthur H. Miller
Donnelley and Lee Library
Lake Forest College
555 North Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045-2399
About Us
Arthur H. Miller
Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections
David Mattoon '76
Special Collections Volunteer Research Associate,
Elliott Donnelley Railroad Collection
