The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is the principal repository for and steward of Temple University Libraries’ rare books, manuscripts, archives and University records. We collect, preserve, and make accessible primary resources and rare or unique materials, so as to stimulate, enrich, and support research, teaching, learning, and administration at Temple University and beyond.
The SCRC reading room, located on the first floor of the Charles Library, is currently open weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
First time visitors should create an SCRC Researcher Account. To do that follow this link and click on either “Temple University Affiliates” or "Non-Temple Affilates." You’ll need this account in order to request materials for your own research in the future.
Archival Collections
Digitized Collections
Digitized photographs from our collections can be found here. The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs, the Housing Association of The Delaware Valley Photographs, the City Parks Association Photographs are good starting places for historical photographs of Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
Newspaper Clippings and Photographs
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin (photographs and clippings) and the Philadelphia Inquirer (photographs and clippings) are great resources for getting up to speed on how a particular topic was covered in the popular press at the time. You can search by subject (“Puerto Ricans” or “Germantown”) or personal names, ("Frank Rizzo.")
For a tutorial on how to request news clippings and photographs see this link.
Secondary Sources and Non-Temple Materials
For help locating secondary sources, search terms, or subject headings, contact Geography, Urban Studies, and History Librarian, Rebecca Lloyd, or Art & Architecture Librarian, Jill Luedke.
A guide to Philadelphia City Directories may be useful for looking up addressed of businesses and individuals.
The Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network has digitized version of ward atlases, and many others, which you can layer over Google Maps using their Interactive Maps Viewer.
PhillyHistory.org is another great resources for photos and other historical documents and articles.
The Philadelphia Free Library also has a great collection of digitized maps and map viewing tools
Philadelphia Architects and Buildings is another great resource for sources on the history of Philadelphia's built environment.
