Location & Directions

The Department of Special Collections is located on the 9th floor of Memorial Library. We welcome members of the University of Wisconsin community as well as visitors from near and far.

To enter Memorial Library, you will need either a valid UW ID or a day pass obtained at the entrance. To obtain a day pass you will be asked to present a current form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) with current address.

To reach Special Collections on the 9th floor of Memorial Library, take elevator 5 (marked Special Collections and South Stacks) to floor 9R. Alternatively, take one of the bank of 3 elevators in Memorial Library to the 7th floor, take the stairs to the 9th floor, then follow the signs to Special Collections. If you have questions, please call Special Collections at 608-262-3243 or ask at the Circulation Desk on the 1st floor of Memorial Library.

Once you reach the 9th floor lobby, the exhibit area of Special Collections (976 Memorial Library) will be straight ahead; from the exhibit area, the Special Collections desk (980 Memorial Library) and reading room (986 Memorial Library) are visible to the right.

Directions to Memorial Library

To reach Memorial Library from University Avenue, turn north onto Lake Street. Memorial Library is at the corner of Lake Street and State Street, and faces the University Bookstore building.

Parking close to the east side of campus is available at the city’s State Street Campus Ramp, located north of University Avenue at 400 N. Frances Street. See Directions & Parking for Memorial Library for more information.

As of December 27, 2023, the Lake Street side of the parking garage is permanently closed for the construction of a new mixed-use property.

More about planning your visit to campus.