Owing to the complex nature of archival research we encourage you to make an appointment. This allows staff to carefully review your request and work with you to ensure the materials you wish to consult are ready for your visit as some collections are held off-site.
Researchers who wish to continue working at a distance can continue to contact us with research requests and staff will work virtually with you.
We also invite you to visit the Waterloo Digital Library to view a selection of digitized items.
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. We are behind the colourful SCA windows.
Please consult the University of Waterloo Library Hours of Service before coming to the Library.
Are you coming to consult one of our collections? Let us know ahead of time so we can pull the material and have it ready for you when you arrive.
If you plan to use our overhead scanner, don't forget to bring a USB flash drive or memory key.
The closest parking lot to the Dana Porter Library is D Lot. The cost is $3.00/hr to a maximum of $21. 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, American Express 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. Guests can purchase a pay-and-display slip at one of the two pay machines to display on their dashboard. The cost is $7.00 and they can use either coin, WatCard, Visa or Mastercard only. (no Debit or Visa Debit).
Starting January 20, 2025, the university will start using the AMP mobile pay app in all visitor lots. Alternative options to using the mobile app:
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:
