Visiting the Brown University Special Collections

For those unable to visit the John Hay Library, we are happy to offer some services remotely.

Special Collections staff can conduct up to two hours of research on your behalf. During this time we will do our best to answer your research question. If your inquiry requires more in-depth research and time, we recommend hiring an locally based research assistant who can visit the reading room on your behalf.

Some research inquiries are best answered by viewing the materials directly.In these circumstances, Special Collections staff will offer virtual reference consultations up 60 minutes using a document camera. Please email hay@brown.edu if this is a service you would like to request.