Special Collections Remote Research Support

JMU Special Collections materials and services are available to everyone. We offer support to researchers seeking answers and access remotely. Learn about remote services below, or see Plan a Visit to schedule an in-person visit to our temporary reading room on campus. 

Remote Reference Questions

Researchers may email us reference questions about materials held by JMU Special Collections. Questions will be acknowledged within 2 to 3 business days. Response times for full answers may take up to 5 weeks, depending on staff availability and current volume of all remote reference requests.

At this time, staff will spend up to one hour of research time and will make up to 50 low-resolution scans per research project.

Email us at library-special@jmu.edu with the details of your reference question.

Remote Digitization Requests

Researchers may request digital reproductions of JMU Special Collections materials. Place all digitization requests as reproduction orders using the Special Collections Request System.

Digitized materials will be delivered via your user account in the Special Collections Request System. You will receive an email notification when your reproduction order is complete; files will be available for download for 30 days before they are automatically deleted.

Turn-around time for digitization requests may take up to 5 weeks, depending on staff availability and current volume of requests. Requests for publication-quality images (TIFF format) will require additional processing and time to complete.

Digitization requests are not meant to replace in-person research. Requests that exceed one hour of staff research time cannot be fulfilled. Contact us at library-special@jmu.edu if you have questions prior to placing your request.