Archives and Special Collections
University Archives and Special Collections
The University's archives chronicle its development into a top Catholic and Marianist institution of higher learning. Materials date from 1850, when St. Mary’s Institute was founded as a grammar school for boys, to the present. The archives include records created by University departments, records of student organizations, alumni and faculty papers, student theses and dissertations, photographs and audiovisual recordings, and University publications.
The eclectic rare books collection includes manuscripts as well as early and limited edition books. Additional special collections highlight sports, the arts, politics and the pursuits of UD alumni. These collections contain rare prints, drawings, photographs, maps, art objects and audiovisual recordings.
Location: Albert Emanuel Hall, second floor. Researchers may use materials in the nearby reading room.
View hours. Closed to walk-in visitors on Thursdays.
Contact: For research inquiries and to schedule a visit, as well as inquiring about donations or transferring of University records, contact university archivist Kristina Schulz at 937-229-4256 or archives@udayto
U.S. Catholic Special Collection
The U.S. Catholic Special Collection preserves records of the Catholic Church and Catholic life in the United States. It also supports the University’s doctoral program in religious studies focusing on the U.S. Catholic experience. This collection shows the commitment of the University of Dayton to the history and heritage of the Catholic Church in the United States and its intellectual and popular traditions. The collection is located on the third floor of Roesch Library.
The collection is comprehensive and includes retrospective and contemporary works in different languages, formats and media, as well as objects used by American Catholics in their religious practice. The collection is strong on official church documents, theology, religious orders active in the United States, school textbooks, biographies, and books and serials used or published by various Catholic immigrant groups.
Location: Roesch Library, third floor.
Contact: To schedule an appointment or for information about the collection, contact uscatholiccolle
For information about the Ph.D. in theology program, contact the Department of Religious Studies at 937-229-4321.
- U.S. Catholic Special Collection items located at the library’s off-site storage facility circulate to undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, faculty and staff for three weeks with six renewals.
- U.S. Catholic Special Collection items located on the third floor and ground storage circulate to graduate, doctoral, faculty and staff only with one renewal.
- If borrowers would like to browse the U.S. Catholic Special Collection on the third floor or in ground storage, they must do so during open hours or by appointment with the Collections Librarian and Archivist.
- Other University of Dayton students may use materials from this collection while in the library. Materials will be checked out for up to 12 hours for use in the library.
- Patrons not affiliated with the University of Dayton will be able to view the materials either in the third floor reading room or in the reference room.
Instruction Support by Liaison Librarians
Roesch Library liaison librarians are available to help your classes conduct specialized research on many topics and across multiple disciplines. Connect with a subject liaison or request a research session with a Roesch Library librarian. Read more about the University Libraries instruction program.