CSB and SJU Librarians can work with you to include Special Collections in teaching and research. We can provide direction on how to locate, assess, and use primary resources across a wide range of subjects. Materials from our collections can advance information literacy and enhance both individual research projects and classroom exercises.

Requesting Class Support

If you are interested in using special collections materials to help students meet the learning outcomes of your courses and/or research assignments, we are here to help. We are also happy to meet with you to answer initial questions, preview items, or generate ideas. Please use the linked form below or contact us to discuss your course needs.

Request Class Support

Class Visits

At Saint John’s University, class visits can be arranged in the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library’s Wallin classroom. Small groups can also meet in the Special Collections Reading Room in Alcuin Library. In many cases librarians can also bring relevant materials to your classroom or introduce materials virtually through teleconferencing.

At the College of Saint Benedict, class visits can be arranged in a Clemens Library conference room. Small groups can also meet in the College Archives in Corona Hall. In many cases librarians can also bring relevant materials to your classroom or introduce materials virtually through teleconferencing.

Class visits are designed to meet the specific learning outcomes of your class. Some options include:

• An orientation session, designed to showcase relevant items, introduce staff partners, and inspire further research. Students report that seeing and handling original editions of texts they are reading and related items helps them engage with material in new ways.
• A focused session with an associated assignment which gives students practice in interpreting primary resources. In some cases we may be able to provide digital surrogates of materials for use in assignments.
• Multiple visits designed to offer students a developmental understanding of a collection’s scope and implications, with several opportunities to use and interpret primary and secondary sources while creating new knowledge.