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Archival Fonds
- What is an "archival record"?
An archival record is: recorded information, regardless of date, form or medium and of continuing value.
- What is a fonds?
A fonds is: The whole of the records, regardless of date, form or medium, created, received used and automatically accumulated by an individual or corporate body in the course, or in the performance of their activities or functions, constituting the integral, organic and recorded information of the body or the individual.
- What is a collection?
A collection is an artificial accumulation of documents of any provenance brought together on the basis of some common characteristic, e.g., way of acquisition, subject, language, medium, type of document, name of collector, to be treated for description purposes as a descriptive unit under a common title. Collectors may be those outside the archives who assembled the material, or may in some cases be an archival repository itself.
- I need to consult records from your archival fonds, can I just show up?
To access the archival fonds, an appointment is required prior to your visit. You can contact us by telephone at: (705) 675-1151 ext. 3306 or by email at archives@laurentian.ca
- Do you have old copies of LU student newspapers?
Yes we do! Currently, we carry complete series and current issues of L'Orignal déchaîné and Lambda as well as other LU student newspapers. In addition, L'Orignal déchaîné and Lamba have been digitized and are available online.
- I live outside of the city. Can you send me archival documents by interlibrary loan?
Archival fonds and the special collections housed in the archives cannot be borrowed through Inter-Library Loan services or taken out of the Angus Gilbert Reading Room. Only in-house consultation is authorized.
- I am not able to go to the archives. Can you do the research for me?
Unfortunately, the archives staff cannot provide research services.
- Can I use my camera instead of photocopying or scanning the document?
It is possible under certain circumstances. When a book or document is too fragile to be photocopied or scanned, we suggest that you bring your camera and take pictures. However, you must fill out a special form and let us know that you are planning to take pictures. Please consult our policy on use of camera in the archives.
- I am looking for information on a family member, are there genealogical records at the archives?
The only documents in the archives that may contain pertinent genealogical information are those from the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee fonds. If you are enquiring about any other records or publications (census, microfilms of newspapers or books) pertaining to genealogical research, please refer to the online catalogue or Research Help desk or reference email.
Special Collections
- Do you have copies of previous exams that I can use to help study?
In March 2020, Senate directed the library to remove the previous exams database from the library website. The exams in the database were largely outdated and often failed to reflect the content or approach used in current courses. Senate instead encourages professors to share sample exams with their students on D2L or through other means.
- Can I use my camera instead of photocopying or scanning the document?
It is possible under certain circumstances such as when a book or document is too fragile to be photocopied or scanned, we suggest that you bring your camera and take pictures. However, you must fill out a special form and let us know that you are planning to take pictures and we will explain the policies and procedures.
- Can I just show up?
If you wish to access publications from the Special Collections (Regional, Faculty, Rare Books, Essays and Thesis), they are accessible during our regular business hours. No appointment is necessary.
- Can I borrow books from the Special Collections?
No. However, there is a self-serve photocopier in the Reading Room. The rules applying to the special collections are similar to the rest of the library, except that publications need to be consulted in the Reading Room. Exceptions may apply to our Rare Book collection, as they may be fragile and not conducive to scanning or photocopying.
- I need to access publications from the Special Collections, but I can’t go to the archives during your operating hours. Can I still consult these books?
YES. If you have a valid student card or LU library card, you can call us or send an email 24 hours ahead of time, and give us the title and call numbers of the books you need to consult, we will put them on reserve for you at borrower service desk (Maximum 5 books). NOTE: Only items from the 4th Year Honours’ Essays cannot be put on reserve. It also may not be possible to put some of the rare books on reserve, given their fragile state of preservation.
- Do you have old copies of LU student newspapers?
Yes we do! Currently, we carry complete series and current issues of L'Orignal déchaîné and Lambda as well as other LU student newspapers. In addition, L'Orignal déchaîné and Lamba have been digitized and are available online.
- Do you have theses from other universities?
No, we do not keep other universities’ graduate theses. We only keep the Laurentian University graduate theses in the archives.
- Do you have 4th Year Honour’s Essays from every department?
No, not every department. The 4th Year Honour’s Essays are sent to the archives on a voluntary basis from different departments.
- I live outside of the city. Can you send me books from the Special Collections by interlibrary loan?
Special Collections housed in the Angus Gilbert Reading Room cannot be borrowed through Inter-Library Loan services or taken out of the Angus Gilbert Reading Room. Only in-house consultation is permitted.
- I am not able to go to the Angus Gilbert Reading Room. Can you do the research for me?
Unfortunately, the staff cannot provide research services.