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How to Request Items

You can request library items to view in person in the library’s reading room, and you can also request digital copies of materials (a great option for long-distance researchers). This page walks you through the different types of requests.

Where to Find Things to Request

The majority of our archived materials can be requested from two places: The U-M Library Catalog and the Finding Aids for specific collections.

How to Request Items

  1. Log into your research account.
  2. Find an item and click “request.” This will open the request in your account page.
  3. Confirm the request. Scroll down to “request type” and choose “request to view in person” or, if you’d like a digital copy of something, select “request duplication.” You can also make an appointment on this page.
  4. Click submit at the bottom of the page. You can also track the request’s status in your account. Our staff will follow up with any questions.

What if I need more help?

You can always reach out to the Bentley and ask an archivist! We are here to assist.

Ask an Archivist