Exploring the Finding Aids

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections Finding Aids site offers two methods of retrieval: finding aids can be browsed by collection creator or searched using either the basic search or advanced search options.

Browse Finding Aids

To browse finding aids for archival collections, click the browse options from the Finding Aid Home page. Collections related to individual divisions within the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections (Manuscript Division, Princeton University Archives, or Public Policy Papers) may be browsed separately. Results will be listed in alphabetical order by the creator or author of a collection.

Basic Search

A simple keyword search can be performed by entering a term or partial term into the search box at the top of the Finding Aids Home page. Words may be truncated with an asterisk. To perform a phrase search enter the phrase inside quotation marks.

Advanced Search

The advanced search option allows for more powerful and focused searching. In addition to keyword searches, searches can be limited to collection titles, controlled subject headings (including names, geographic areas, subjects, and genres of material), and the names of creators of collections. Searches can also be limited to additional finding aid elements such as scope and content notes, biographical or history notes, and abstracts.

Interpreting Search Results

Search results include the collection title, collection dates, the name of the creator or collector of the materials, and a short abstract or summary description of the collection. Results are ranked by relevancy. Search terms will be highlighted in yellow.

Navigating Within a Finding Aid

Searching within finding aid documents

To search within a finding aid, use the "find in page" function of your browser (usually this can be done through the "edit" menu, or by pressing the ctrl and f keys).

Navigation

Individual finding aids may be explored through scrolling, or through the use of the navigation menu on the left hand side of the screen. The navigation menu provides links to specific portions of the finding aid. In addition to the navigation menu, links to specific series and subseries in the contents list may be found in the Arrangement section.

Printing Finding Aids

To print a finding aid click on the Print: HTML | PDF links at the top of each finding aid. The HTML print option will print the entire finding aid without the left hand navigation menu. To print specific pages or portions of a finding aid click on the PDF option.

Contact Us

Questions regarding collections held at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library (including the Princeton University Archives and Public Policy Papers) may be submitted using the library's webform or via email to mudd@princeton.edu.

Questions regarding collections held in the Manuscripts Division, Firestone Library may be submitted via email to rbsc@princeton.edu.

Questions regarding EAD finding aids, the EAD website, or the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections EAD implementation may be submitted to Dan Santamaria.

Conducting Research

Holdings of the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections are open to Princeton University students, faculty, staff, and visiting researchers. Information on access to the collections, hours of operation, directions, accommodations, and a research tutorial may be found in the Research Services section of Department's website. Additional information about conducting research at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library may be found in the Conducting Research section of the Mudd Library's website.

Please Note: Access to individual collections may be restricted and some collections may be stored off-site. Before visiting the library, researchers should be sure to examine the "Access and Use" section of finding aids in order to ensure that there are no restrictions or special conditions regarding access to the materials. (When viewing finding aids, click on "Information for Users" in the navigation menu, or scroll down to the "Access and Use" section.)

Photoduplication

Information regarding photoduplication of material held in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections may be found in the Photoduplication Services section of the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections website.

Rights and Permissions

Information regarding publishing and broadcast rights for material held in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections may be found in the Rights and Permissions section of the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections website.