The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is the principal repository for and steward of the Libraries’ rare books, manuscripts, archives, and University records. We collect, preserve, and make accessible primary resources and rare or unique materials, to stimulate, enrich, and support research, teaching, learning, and administration at Temple University. SCRC makes these resources available to a broad constituency as part of the University's engagement with the larger community of scholars and independent researchers.

We ask that you familiarize yourself with the guidelines for requesting and using materials in the Reading Room and for requesting reference assistance if you cannot visit. The staff is pleased to assist you and answer any questions you might have.

Please be aware that many of our collections may be housed off-site and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please contact us in advance so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for your visit.

The finding aids for our archival collections are both browsable and searchable through Search Finding Aids.  In addition to our archival collections, SCRC holds over 125,000 books and periodicals. These can be found and requested through SCRC Catalog Search. The Libraries’ Digital Collections contain digitized content from SCRC as well as other units, and these are searchable using Digitized Collections.