Requesting and Handling Archival Materials
Review the archival finding aids to identify what precisely you would like to view.
To request archival material, use the appropriate call slips supplied by the reference librarians. A maximum of six items (boxes, flat files, and/or portfolios) can be paged at any one time. The researcher may use only one archival box, flat file, or portfolio at a time.
The researcher is expected to preserve the existing arrangement of the material within folders and boxes. If anything appears to be misfiled, the researcher should not attempt to move it, but call it to the attention of the archivist or reference staff
Input a keyword into the box and click Search to begin searching the online library catalog.
Online catalogs and databases maintained by the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries:
Make requests for materials that are not owned by the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries:
Find library information:
Search exhibitions by keyword or browse by date. Some records include photographs or digitized exhibition catalogs.
Catalog of electronic surrogates of selected original archival materials from the Ryerson & Burnham Archives collections. Materials may include photographs, slides, architectural drawings and prints, correspondence, and printed papers.
A list of online guides and bibliographies developed by Ryerson & Burnham librarians to assist research on a variety of art historical and architectural topics, including provenance research, building history, appraisal and preservation resources, Chicago neighborhood research, and the history of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Digital collection catalogs available freely online. Catalogs offer detailed art historical context, provenance history, and scientific analysis of artworks in the Art Institute of Chicago's collections.
Requesting and Handling Library Materials
No more than five items may be requested from the stacks at a time.
Library materials delivered to you with special equipment (cradles, foam supports, etc.) must be used with that equipment. Please see the circulation desk or reference desk with questions.