On Wednesday, October 10, Manuscripts and Archives will offer a general introduction to the department. This session, which is open to the public, will be of particular interest to new faculty, undergraduates beginning work on seminar papers and senior essays, and graduate students investigating topics for research utilizing the holdings of the department.

A major center for primary source research at Yale, Manuscripts and Archives is known for its collections on Yale and New Haven. The collections span centuries and are geographically diverse. While the holdings are particularly rich for the United States, collections on Africa and Latin America are also strong. There is tremendous depth in the areas of American public policy and administration; diplomacy and international affairs; political and social thought and commentary; legal and judicial history, contemporary medical care and health policy, and urbanism, with a specific focus on New Haven. Recent collecting has greatly increased our resources for the study of architecture and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history and culture.

The orientation will include information on searching the department's databases and finding aids. The session will take place in the department's Cowles Reference Center, 150 Sterling Memorial Library, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. When entering through the Wall Street door, Manuscripts and Archives will be the first door on your left. Please contact the department at mssa.assist@yale.edu or 432-1744 for further information. Prior registration is encouraged but not required.