Hours
Appointments encouraged.
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
View full library hours.
Descriptive information about archives and research collections held by Special Collections & Archives (SCA) can be searched using the Archives Database. Launched in 2019, the Archives Database provides details about SCA's literary and historical holdings. You can browse the site by:
Although descriptive records are frequently being added to the Archives Database, what is currently available does not reflect a comprehensive list of SCA's holdings. Please contact us for assistance finding items of interest.
A selection of digitized records from Special Collections & Archives' holdings can be found online via the Waterloo Digital Library and as part of the Digital Exhibits and Digital Collections sections of this website.
Records held by Special Collections & Archives are historical in nature and contain language or depictions of people representative of their time. This includes problematic wording, cultural references, and stereotypes that are no longer used or appropriate today. Historical language has been maintained in its original form, in keeping with archival practice, to preserve the context in which the records were created. This approach, while potentially upsetting, allows for the critical assessment and questioning of historical material by contemporary researchers.
While the language of the record creators has been maintained, Special Collections & Archives staff understand the impact language and images have both on researchers accessing our collections and on the perpetuation of systemic and cultural bias. As a result, staff are actively working to:
Special Collections & Archives staff view this manner of providing and expanding on the context of problematic records to be in keeping with the University of Waterloo’s Principles of Inclusivity and Policy 33 - Ethical Behaviour, as well as the Association of Canadian Archivists’ Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
See the Language in archival descriptions changes news piece for examples of the related work in action.
Appointments encouraged.
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
View full library hours.
Dana Porter Library, first floor
University of Waterloo Library
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
519-888-4567 x42619 or x42445
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.