Beginning in fall quarter 2017, each month librarians and archivists will select four items from UCR Library’s Special Collections and place them on hold for anyone to use in the reading room.

This new program will be called "4 to Explore."

Because Special Collections materials are kept in closed stacks (which means you can’t see the shelves and browse), and because you can’t check things out to take home, 4 to Explore is a great way to get a taste of the collections that truly make UCR unique.

4 to Explore is an opportunity to visit the kind of reading room that is used for archival research or by rare book scholars, and to get a sampling of our collections without having to do research or put in a request ahead of time. You’ll be asked to show photo ID and to check your bags – but don’t worry! Our UCR Library staff will explain everything to you when you arrive.

We will also have rotating exhibits of items from the collections on display.

Here's what you can see this September in 4 to Explore:

Harvest
A new artist's book for fall by Mikio Watanabe

Spectator Amateur Press Society
Tons of bound fanzines from 1955

California Names Pronounced and Defined
Look up your favorite places in this 1940 guide

Pardee Dam Construction Photos
Built across the Molkelumne River in the 1920s

Where you can find 4 to Explore:

Department: Special Collections & University Archives

Where: Take elevators to 4^th floor of Rivera Library

Hours: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday

Bring: Photo ID

Don’t bring: Food or drinks

Who: Everyone is welcome. 4 to Explore is more of an individual experience, but we can usually accommodate up to two people using the same item at the same time, so feel free to bring a friend.

What to expect: Staff will help you sign in and feel comfortable in the reading room. It should take about 5-10 minutes for you to get up to the 4^th floor and get settled. Then you can stay and enjoy as long as you like!