Accessing Hagley Collections

Hagley Library is excited to be open by appointment for daily research visits at the Soda House Reading Room.

Current Soda House Reading Room Hours:

Monday to Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

We are closed on most major holidays, with a two-week winter closure in late December.

Note: The reading room will be closed for winter break Monday, December 23, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025. We look forward to seeing you in the reading room in the new year beginning Monday, January 6, 2025.

Obtain a research card

All on-site users of Hagley Library and archival materials are required to obtain a research card. Click here to register for your Hagley Research Card.

Schedule a research appointment

To schedule a research appointment, please use our Online Bookings System. If you need access for more than two days in the same week, please coordinate your visit directly with our reference staff by emailing AskHagley@hagley.org. Please inform us when booking your appointment of any mobility restrictions so we can make the necessary accommodations.

Request library and archival materials

Please be aware that our library does not lend out materials. Instead, our helpful staff will bring the requested materials to the Soda House Reading Room for you to use. Our collections are stored in multiple locations, so please request materials before your appointment to ensure they are available when you visit. While we accept additional requests during your appointment, we may only be able to fulfill some same-day requests.

Materials can be requested using the available form while booking your appointment online or by emailing them to callslip@hagley.org. Additionally, when searching our Finding Aids, you may request materials using the 'Request' button on the upper right of the collection web pages. Using the Library Catalog, you can request an item by following these instructions.

Access policy

Hagley Museum and Library provides access to items in our collections for educational and research purposes. The terms of the Deed of Gift or Deposit Agreement may restrict access, particularly for non-academic use.

Visitors involved in research for current or potential litigation must contact the library in advance to obtain permission to access. Attorneys, or persons acting at the direction or under the supervision of an attorney, are reminded that failing to disclose the nature of their research, misrepresenting themselves or their involvement in current or potential litigation, or conducting unauthorized research is a violation of the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which apply in all states, including Delaware.

Reading Room Policies

Please adhere to the following rules when using our reading rooms:

1. Researchers must wash their hands before handling collection materials.

2. Researchers must provide their research card number upon request.
   
3. Food, briefcases, parcels, packages, and umbrellas are prohibited in the reading room and research areas. Lockers are available.
   
4. Use only wood or mechanical pencils.
   
5. Refrain from writing on, marking, leaning on, or mishandling research materials. Careless handling will result in the revocation of your research card.
   
6. Post-it notes are harmful to books and manuscripts. Acid-free bookmarks are available in the reading room.
   
7. Preserve the existing order of unbound materials.
   
8. Do not remove collections materials from the reading room.
   
9.  Phone calls are not permitted in the reading room.
   
10. Researchers may use personal scanners, computers, and digital cameras (without flash) in the reading room.
   
11. When you are finished with the materials, inform the staff. Upon request, we can reserve materials for upcoming appointments.  
   
12. Please provide a copy of any publication that results from the materials used at Hagley Library.

Directions

The Hagley Library and Soda House are located off Route 100 and Buck Road in Greenville, Delaware approximately 4 miles from downtown Wilmington.

LIBRARY AND SODA HOUSE READING ROOM ENTRANCE - GPS: 298 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807
 
Soda House Reading Room Entrance
Click for directions via Google Maps

Please Note: Our Reading Room is located in the Soda House. Follow signs accordingly when you arrive on our property.

Directions from Interstate 95

From I-95 North: Take exit 8B and proceed on 202 north for approximately one mile to Route 141 south. Follow Route 141 south to the intersection with Route 100. Turn right onto Route 100 north. At the first stoplight make a right onto Buck Road East and follow the signs to library or Soda House.

From I-95 South: Take exit 5B and proceed on 141 north. Follow 141 for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto route 100 North. At the first stoplight make a right onto Buck Road East and follow the signs to the library or Soda House.

Directions from Route 202

Take Route 202 to Route 141 south. Follow Route 141 south to the intersection with Route 100. Turn right onto Route 100 north. At the first stoplight make a right onto Buck Road East and follow the signs to library or Soda House.

Directions from Route 52 (West Chester/Kennett Square)

Take Route 52 south and continue into Delaware. Shortly after the intersection with Route 82, you will pass a shopping center on your left. Stay in the left lane and watch for the intersection with Buck Road. Make a left at the light onto Buck Road. Go straight at the next traffic light (staying on Buck Road). After the stop sign, go straight through the gates and follow signs to the library or Soda House.

Rights and Reproduction Services

We encourage researchers to use and share our collections whenever possible. Click here to view our complete Rights and Reproductions Services.

Services for off-site researchers

Hagley staff offers limited research service for those unable to visit the library. This service is available for requests that require a minimal amount of research. Hagley maintains a list of local researchers for hire if you require more comprehensive research. Please contact us at askhagley@hagley.org for more information.

Accessing museum collections

Please contact our Museum Registrar, Keith Minsinger, at kminsinger@hagley.org to request access to conduct research with our Museum Collection.

Contact us

Have any questions about accessing and using Hagley collections? Email us at AskHagley@hagley.org or submit your question via our online Contact Us form.