We offer a variety of services to support research and learning:
- Instructional visits
- Research visits and consultations
- Workshops and events
- Duplication services
- Educator resources
- University records services
Instructional Visits
We invite you to request instruction sessions with archivists from Special Collections and Archives. We can introduce your students or members of your organization to archival research and our unique collections.
Fill out our instruction request form to arrange a visit. We require two weeks’ notice for instruction sessions and tours.
Research Visits and Consultations
You are welcome to visit our Reading Room by appointment only to view our collections. You can use our online registration portal to make an appointment and request materials to view. An archivist or other staff member will be available during your appointment to answer questions.
If you cannot physically travel to use our collections, please email archives@gsu.edu and we will be happy to set up an appointment for remote research.
Do you have more in-depth research needs? Email us at archives@gsu.edu to schedule a consultation with an archivist.
If you have questions about finding, using or citing archival material, see our guide to archival research.
Workshops and Events
We offer regular workshops and events throughout the year, from annual receptions celebrating the opening of new exhibits in our gallery to celebrations of Atlanta Pride Month and Homecoming. Most events are open to the public.
Follow us on social media or check out the GSU Library events calendar to get the latest on upcoming events.
Duplication Services
You may photograph or download most collection materials for personal use. For a fee, we provide photocopies and publication-quality reproductions. Please review our pricing and licensing guide for more information.
Using an item from our collection in a book, article, film, or other work may be subject to a licensing or usage fee. It may also require that you obtain separate permission from a copyright holder. If GSU does not hold the copyright, you must contact the copyright holder for permission. Identifying and contacting non-GSU rights holders is the responsibility of the researcher.
Contact us at archives@gsu.edu if you have questions about our photo-duplication services or copyright status and usage restrictions.
Restrictions
We will do our best to fulfill your request, but we might be unable to copy some items because of fragile condition, limited staff time, copyright issues or donor-imposed restrictions.
Duplication & Permission Requests
To request a copy of something from our collections or permission to publish it, submit a request through our Aeon user portal.
If you’ve found these materials through the Library Catalog, ArchivesSpace, or Digital Collections, there will also be a Request Item button that will lead you to the same Aeon portal to submit the request.
We will process your request as soon as we are able. Special Collections staff may reach out to you if they have any questions about your request.
Time to Fulfillment
Turnaround time for duplication services varies by request type and volume. Average times are as follows:
- Photocopy requests: one business day
- Scanning requests: three business days
- Audio and video duplication requests: 10 business days
Large-volume and complex orders may take longer.
Educator Resources
To support curricula that use our collections, we offer lesson plans that follow national and state standards. We encourage teachers to develop their own lesson plans using primary sources from our collections.
Southern Labor Archives
- Work ‘n’ Progress: Lessons and Stories in Southern Labor History (7th–12th Grade)
- PATCO Strike of 1981 (9th–12th Grade)
Music & Popular Culture Collections
These lesson plans were created by music education graduate students with support from The Johnny Mercer Foundation.
- A Musical Trip Across America (1st Grade)
- American Popular Music, 1900-1950 (8th Grade)
- Creating Mini Demo Tracks: A jazz inspired mini album (7th Grade)
- I Can Be A Song Writer (4th Grade)
- Pop Music Through the Years (8th Grade)
- The American Musical (7th Grade)
- Tune In! Exploring American Radio Broadcasting (6th Grade)
Women’s/Gender & Sexuality Collections
- Silenced Voices: Understanding Domestic Violence through Primary Sources (8th–12th Grade)
- The ERA: Oral Histories Curriculum (8th–12th Grade)
- Exploring Gender Roles in Society, Literature, Art, and Film (8th–12th Grade)
- Georgia Women Speak! (8th–12th Grade)
- Reproductive Rights Classroom Exercise (Undergraduate and Graduate)
University Records Services
We acquire and preserve Georgia State’s permanently valuable records. University Archives services include locating relevant documents to support the university’s business needs and providing verified information about the university’s history. If you have questions about university records, contact the University Archivist, Laurel Bowen, at lbowen@gsu.edu or 404-413-2887.
If you represent an administrative office that wants to transfer records to us, complete the following steps:
- Review “Records Collected for University Archives” to decide which records to transfer.
- Complete the actions described in “Procedures for Transfer of University Records to Archives.”
- Fill out the “Request for Transfer of University Records to Archives” form and a transfer inventory.
- Send the transfer form to the University Archives by interoffice mail or email to lbowen@gsu.edu. The University Archivist will review and approve or deny your request.
Learn more about records management services and policies from the GSU Office of the Registrar and the USG Records Management Program.