Special Collections & Archives: Using The Archives

The Foyle Special Collections & Archives hold outstanding and unique    collections of books and archival documents supporting the teaching and research of the University of Roehampton. 

The collections relate to Friedrich Froebel and early childhood education, the Froebel College, Children's Literature, the author Richmal Crompton, Dance, and Religious Studies.

We are located on the second floor of the University Library. 

Celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month you are invited to visit the exhibition

Remarkable Women: Making a Difference in Education  

Curated by the university archivists, this is an exhibition of portraits celebrating three centuries of leaders whose work shaped our colleges, built our university, and impacted education for generations of young people.

7th - 26th March 2025

The Well, Southlands College Chapel      

           Marilyn Holness, Tina Bruce and Bernatette Porter during exhibition launch

Access

We are open to our students, staff and external visitors by appointment only. Please email to make arrangements prior to your visit.

Appointment booking essential for all Supervised Access material

We ask you to book an appointment for consulting supervised access material at least one week before the intended visit. Appointments must be confirmed by the archivist. We may not be able to accommodate users who have not booked in advance.

Prior to your visit please contact us to discuss your research topic and to submit a material request list to archives@roehampton.ac.uk so that we can have these items ready for you. To do that, use our Archives and Library catalogues. Please provide the reference number or shelf mark of the item your would like to consult, as well as the author and title or brief description. We may not be able to produce additional records during the visit.

Open Access to Special Collections

Our book collections specified as Open Access in the Library catalogue can be accessed throughout the Library opening hours. University of Roehampton staff and students do not need to book an appointment to use this part of our collections.

If you have any questions, email us.

Capacity

We have an approximate research capacity of 8 in the Foyle Special Collections room.

For group bookings please get in touch with the archivist. 

Search Our Collections

• Archives catalogue 
• Library catalogue 

Han​dling and Consultation Guidelines

The greatest cause of damage of library and archive collections is incorrect handling. We believe that your care and awareness will contribute to continued preservation and access to the archival documents. Correct handling is largely common sense, but here are a few things to remember:

• The Foyle Special Collections room is for consultation of archives, rare books and records and is not a general library reading room. 
• All material is reference only. Under no circumstances may any item be removed from the reading room.
• No eating or drinking is allowed inside the Foyle Special Collections room. Personal belongings can be stored in the  designated space.
• Hands should be clean and free of creams and lotions as dirt and grease can penetrate the surface of documents and cause damage. Gloves are not usually required when handling paper.
• Loose items should be kept in order - always return material in the same order in which you received it. Use pencils only for note taking or a laptop computer. Never mark the material in any way.
• Mobile devices may be used when muted, but we ask you not to take or make any calls and be considerate towards other users.
• Avoid resting anything on the material you are consulting. Book weights and supports will be provided by the archivist.
• Photography is allowed upon discretion of the archivist for individual research purposes only.  A copying form will be provided by the archivist and must be signed.
• Archival material including information about living individual fall within the provisions of the General Data Protections Regulations (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018. The reader must ensure that any such data used during the course of their research complies with the above regulations. Material containing data about living individuals may not be copied either for or by the researcher.
• Help, handling advice and any further guidance will be available throughout your visit. 

Reproduction of archival material

Archival material is subject to the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988 and researchers must comply with regulations laid down in the Act. Copies and digital reproductions of archival material can be requested by the archivist and provided upon the archivist's discretion for private research only as stated above.

Copying can be carried out by archive staff only. Copying may not be allowed if there is a risk of damage to the item, or for any other reason deemed appropriate by the Archivist. The provision of copies is free of charge, and an hourly fee may apply for a digital scanning service.
 

Permission for public use

It is the responsibility of the reader to seek written permission from the archivist prior to any publication of any material held in our collections.

A credit to the University of Roehampton, Foyle Special Collections and Archives should be included.