The Bentley Historical Library is open to all researchers, including the general public.

Please see our Visiting page for hours, location, and parking information. If you need help, please email us at bentley.ref@umich.edu or call the library at 734-764-3482!

Before You Visit

• Each visitor must register for their own Bentley research account (including all group members).
  • Our Reading Room is a large open area for all researchers, so we can’t accomodate large groups. Email bentley.ref@umich.edu to ask about your visit.
  • Please register at home to allow more research time with your material (if needed, you can register on our computers or paper when you arrive).
  • Schedule an appointment using your research account at least 24 hours before you arrive. Appointments are no longer required; however, they help guarantee an available table in the Reading Room (especially if you’re traveling a long way). We get busy at certain times of the year!
  • If it’s closer than 24 hours to your scheduled date/time, the online system won’t let you make or edit an appointment. Please email bentley.ref@umich.edu or call if you need to change or cancel an appointment.

• Use your Bentley research account to request all material that interests you.
  • We bring material out to you (we are “closed stacks;” you can’t walk around to look at the shelves). If you select one folder in a box, we will retrieve the entire box for your use.
  • You don’t need to assign an appointment to every request. Please use that option to assign one or two boxes/items to your appointment or first day of research. We’ll place one box at your table so you may begin research right away.
  • You can place as many requests to your account as you’d like to create a list of research material; use “No appointment” to submit your request.

• If you need research help, you can email our Reference staff at bentley.ref@umich.edu.

 When You’re Here

• We have limited free visitor parking on the south side of the building (Lot NC42). When you arrive, we’ll give you a parking permit to hang in your car. Our doors unlock automatically at the start of our business hours.

• Please check into the Reading Room at the Welcome desk and check out with staff when you leave.

• Hang coats and jackets in our coatroom and store small personal items in our free lockers. We don’t allow bags, purses, laptop cases, food/drink (including gum or cough drops), or outside coats in the Reading Room.

• Wash your hands before starting research to protect material for future researchers. Restrooms and water fountains are located off our foyer.

• You may bring in your own laptop/tablet (leave the case in the lockers), cell phone/camera, tripod, pencils, materials to take notes, etc. You may take photographs of most material with your own camera or cell phone, but personal scanners are not allowed.

• We have pencils and paper available in the Reading Room, as well as magnifying glasses, light boxes, and foam supports. The free guest wifi network is “MGuest”. We also have three computer stations to view digital files and search the library catalog, databases, and finding aids. There are two microfilm stations that can scan and save images to your USB drive. We have one height-adjustable table; please email bentley.ref@umich.edu if you’d like to reserve this table.

• To minimize distractions, please silence your phone. If you need to take a phone call, please use the foyer or step outside.

• You can have one box or up to five books at your research table at one time. Return material to the circulation staff and ask them when  you would like to switch out material.

• Pierpont Commons and the Duderstadt Center’s Mujo Cafe are a 5-10 minute walk from the Bentley if you would like a coffee or lunch break (please check their websites for open hours); we don’t have vending machines or a break room. If you bring food and need a space to sit, our courtyard outside the Reading Room has a few small benches, and the Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building across the street has a Commons area with an atrium and other seating.

• If you need research help during your visit, we have Reference archivists available — just ask!