Faculty/Class Orientations

The reference staff of the Bentley Historical Library has deep subject knowledge in the histories of the state of Michigan and the University of Michigan. The staff is also familiar with the variety of archival access resources of the Bentley Historical Library, including its finding aids and bibliographic databases in which Bentley collections are described.

The reference staff offers one to two hour orientation sessions for classes making use of the Bentley Historical Library. These orientations review concepts in archival research as well as procedures for making use of the Bentley Historical Library's collections. They also include a consideration of the library's holdings vis-a-vis a particular class' subject interests. Faculty are encouraged to contact the reference staff to arrange for such a meeting. Group orientations are often the most effective start to the use of the Bentley's holdings for primary source research.

General Research Orientation

In one hour, reference staff can provide a general introduction to the process of historical research.

Introduction to the Bentley Historical Library

The orientation begins with the history of the Bentley, its purpose, collecting areas, types of material that can be found in our collections, as well as a brief reminder of the differences between primary and secondary sources.
Students will also learn about what to expect on their first visit--basic procedures, such as filling out a researcher registration card, leaving their photo ID at the reference desk while they're in the reading room, what can/cannot be brought into the reading room, and how to find and request materials.

Call slip used to request materials

Searching the Catalog

Reference archivists at the Bentley will introduce students to the process of using the catalog to navigate primary source materials. Students may already be familiar with MIRLYN from using the UM Libraries, but there are many search strategies that can ease the frustration of primary source research.
A general introduction to how to read a catalog record gives students solid research strategies, and if desired, the orientation will cover search terms relevant to the course focus and/or topic.

EAD (Encoded Archival Description) and Print Finding Aids

In order to make the best use of the Bentley's collection, students will receive instruction on the use of finding aids, both in print and online.

Portion of the printed finding aids

Reference staff will demonstrate how to access online finding aids and how to interpret scope and content notes, lists of contents, and additional descriptive data.
Reference staff will also illustrate how to use print finding aids and where in the library these can be found.

Overview of Online Exhibits and Subject Guides

Many of the exhibits provide introductory information about research topics for which the Bentley collections are frequently used. These exhibits may assist students in developing their research topics.
Subject guides are a compiled list of the bulk of relevant collections for a certain area of research. The guides provide links to online finding aids are provided (when available) to expedite the research process. Subject guides are a convenient way to gain perspective about the collections pertaining to a particular topic, and they also include search strategies for further research.

Class Exercises

If classes can allow for a two-hour visit or if the instructor would like to spend time on guided research activities, reference staff can provide small-group instruction in the following research strategies:

Document analysis

Document analysis and guided research
exercises provide a solid introduction
to the research process.

History class immersed in an exercise with
primary source research

Tutorials can be structured around a document analysis worksheet or can take the form of conversations between students and Bentley reference staff.
Students will have ample opportunity to exchange their different interpretations on the document, guided by a reference staff member.
Course instructors are welcome to suggest topics and reference staff will find a relevant document to use. Otherwise, reference staff will select a document with rich historical significance.

Photo analysis

Photo tutorials introduce students to research methods using photographs, from basic procedures (use of gloves) to complex photo-identification. This session usually works best with a series of information questions between reference staff and students, but if the instructor wishes, this activity could incorporate a photo analysis worksheet.
Students have the opportunity to closely examine both digital and print photographs. Students compare the information that can be gleaned from print vs. digital images; the digital image is enlarged to show a heightened level of detail and provides an exceptional opportunity for analysis.
If time and the instructor allows, students may have the opportunity to explore a folder of historic photographs.

Follow the Footnote

If there has been a significant amount of research already completed on a topic of interest, students may benefit from the secondary source material.
Bentley collections have been heavily used for published works on the Detroit Urban League, the student movement of the 1960s, and Ann Arbor local history, among others.
Reference staff will guide students through the process of tracking a footnote in an author's work back to the archival collection from which it came.

Other research and orientation services

The Bentley's stacks.

The Bentley's collections include books as well as manuscript
and mixed materials collections.

Reference staff can pull boxes or volumes of relevant material and have it ready for classes to use at the library.

It may be possible to arrange for a tour of the stacks.

If you have other ideas about possible collaborations with the Bentley to support your students' learning and research, please feel free to contact the reference department at bentley.ref@umich.edu or 734-764-3482