Instructing with Special Collections: Empowering Student Scholars
One of Miami University’s greatest assets is its extraordinary collection of more than 65,000
rare books, manuscripts, and other primary source materials. We believe these materials are
here to be used, and so we encourage professors in all disciplines to consider including Special
Collections in their courses. Students who visit Special Collections learn to conduct research in
an archival environment, and they develop the skills needed to locate, identify, interpret, and
think critically about primary source materials such as nineteenth century letters and diaries,
early modern printed books and manuscripts, twentieth century political posters, and more.
Class sessions in Special Collections are always adapted to the class’s specific needs. We offer
several approaches to instruction based on the instructor’s goals for the course, and we always
encourage students to contextualize, investigate, and interact with historical documents. If you
are interested in using Special Collections materials to enhance your class instruction, consider
partnering with a Special Collections staff member; we would be happy to help you plan a visit
to Special Collections and/or design a learning activity that incorporates our rich collections.
To schedule a visit or to discuss how we can help incorporate primary sources into your class,
please contact us!
Carly Sentieri, Curator, Special Collections
513-529-4140, sentiecm@miamioh.edu
William Modrow, Head, Special Collections & Archives
513-529-2024, modrowwm@miamioh.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my options for a class visit?
The following are possible options for your class session in Special Collections. Note that these
are not meant to be absolute; sessions can always be designed from scratch according to the
needs of the course.
Option 1
An introduction to Special Collections materials related to a particular topic, accompanied by an in-class
assignment, hands-on activity, or assisted research time (for larger classes, this often takes more than
one session)
Option 2
An introduction to Special Collections materials related to a particular topic, with students returning
individually to use materials kept on reserve
Option 3
An introduction to Special Collections research in general, using selected highlights from our collections
or materials related to a particular topic
Can students handle the materials?
Yes! We encourage hands-on activities with our materials and feel that they empower students
to become more confident, responsible scholars. We will provide a general orientation to the
handling of the materials, and some materials may have handling restrictions, but in general a
visit to Special Collections is meant to be an interactive experience.
How many students can I bring?
We can accommodate up to 35 students easily, and will investigate other options for larger
classes.
Can I put Special Collections materials on reserve for students to use in the reading room
outside of their class time?
Yes, we often keep materials on reserve for classes. When using materials in our reading room,
students will need to register as researchers and follow reading room procedures.
How do I schedule a class?
Please contact us as far in advance of your class as possible in order to avoid scheduling
conflicts. Please provide a copy of the class syllabus for planning and selection purposes, along
with a head count for the visit. We also encourage a preview meeting between the professor
and librarian to discuss materials and the learning objectives of the class.