University of Minnesota Libraries - Special Collections and Rare Books

Search the Givens Collection

The majority of the collection is accessible through MNCAT®, the University of Minnesota's online catalog.

Follow the instructions below to search for materials in the Givens Collection using MNCAT®, the libraries' online catalog.

Instructions

Enter MNCAT®.
In MNCAT®, choose Command Search at the top of the screen.
Any search that you perform must be accompanied by the code for searching the Givens collection: WSC=TANDRARG. For example, if you wanted to find the book Bird At My Window by Rosa Guy you would enter:
WTL=bird at my window AND WSC=TANDRARG
The command WSC=TANDRARG denotes that you would like to search the Givens collection. Instructions for other search types are given at the bottom of the Command Search page in MNCAT or from the Help link.

For non-book materials, check the Finding Aids for Manuscript Collections list in the left-side navigation bar.

Using the Collection

The Givens Collection is open to the public and its holdings accessible to all. Because of the rarity of the books and manuscript material in the collection, however, the holdings do not circulate, except when used by staff for exhibition purposes. Researchers may use the materials only in the Special Collections reading room.

Photocopying services are available for a fee, depending on the fragility of the material.