We offer a range of services for instructors interested in teaching with and about our books, manuscripts, and other archival and special materials. 

Instruction and course support

We are happy to collaborate with instructors on a variety of learning goals — from introducing primary source research to supporting semester-long research and creative projects — to design and deliver in-person or remote learning experiences.

For example, we’ve helped students:

• Get an introduction to historical research with primary source materials by using a hands-on exercise that “matches” research topics to specific sources that can provide evidence
• Examine and discuss letters sent to Orson Welles by listeners from across the U.S. following the broadcast of his infamous War of the Worlds radio show
• See the intellectual process that culminated in the religious reformation of the sixteenth century by examining medieval and early-printed bibles, pamphlets, and broadsides

Room capacity and other limits for in-person sessions are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about what we teach across the library and see how we can support your course design.

Placing materials on hold for classes

Selected materials can be placed on hold for independent study in our reading room when related to your class session. To do so, please coordinate with the person helping to plan your class.

To place items on hold without an accompanying instruction session, please contact us special.collections@umich.edu.