Visit SCA

• Search the Archives Database or the library catalogue Omni to identify items you want to review.
• Contact us to make an appointment
• Review the department Access policy
• Complete a researcher registration form
• Bring a USB flash drive or memory key if you intend to use SCA's self-serve scanning kiosk

First-time visitors can learn about primary resources and archival research by reviewing the Archives 101: Find Primary Sources in Special Collections & Archives research guide.

Special Collections & Archives is located on the bottom (first) floor of the Dana Porter Library. Enter the library through the front doors, then go down the stairs to your right (across from Browsers Coffee Shop), or take the elevator down to the first floor.

SCA is open for appointments:

• Monday to Friday
• 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM

Please consult the University of Waterloo Libraries Hours of Service before coming to the department for updates about building closures or service interruptions.

• Directions to the campus
• Campus map (we are LIB)
• Campus parking. If you come in the middle of the day, finding parking in a central location can be challenging.

  • The closest parking lot to the Dana Porter Library is D Lot. The cost is $3.10/hr to a maximum of $21.75. Guests can utilize this lot by driving up to the gate and pressing a button for an entry ticket. On exit they would insert the ticket and submit Visa, MasterCard, or Debit only (no Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit) payment for the duration they were in the lot. Reservations can be made at strnsprt@uwaterloo.ca at least 48 hours in advance.

    If the cost is an issue, the closest $7.00 flat rate parking is available in C Lot across University Avenue.

    As of January 20, 2025, the university is using the AMP mobile pay app in all visitor lots. Alternative options to using the mobile app:

  • Pre-book online: Book your ticket online through the AMP mobile website before traveling to campus. Step by step instructions are available on the Sustainable Transportation website.

  • In-person purchase: Once on campus, you can visit the Sustainable Transportation office, located on the first floor of the General Services Complex, to either:

    • Purchase a visitor parking ticket for the day.
    • Purchase scratch cards, which can be bought in advance in bulk or individually. Scratch cards need to scratched and displayed in your vehicle.
  • Book upon arrival: Use the AMP desktop app to purchase parking as soon as possible after arriving on campus.

Material housed in Special Collections & Archives does not circulate and can only be used in the Doris Lewis Reading Room. Access to some archival material is restricted for preservation and privacy reasons. 

To ensure the longevity and security of our collections we ask that the following rules be observed:

• Coats and bags must be left in the secure storage lockers provided on-site.
• Food and drink are not permitted in the Doris Lewis Reading Room.
• Pens, highlighters or mechanical pencils are prohibited. Pencils are provided for use in the Doris Lewis Reading Room.
• All material must be handled with clean hands and with care. Staff will advise researchers about the appropriate way to handle the collection being consulted.
• The order of files in archival collections is to be maintained.