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Islamic Manuscripts Collection

Information about using the Islamic Manuscripts Collection held at the University of Michigan Library.

May I examine the physical manuscript?

Yes, you may examine the physical manuscript. Supporting all research avenues, including those that require physical examination of the manuscript, is important to us.

Manuscripts from the Islamic Manuscripts Collection may be viewed under supervision in the reading room of the Special Collections Research Center on the 6th floor of Hatcher (South Building). Lockers are provided to store belongings and use of cameras is permitted.

Staff will provide instructions and assistance with handling. Weights, magnifiers, light wands, etc. are all available for use.

Full details on work in the reading room are outlined here.

We look forward to welcoming you in the reading room!

How do I request a manuscript?

In order to view a manuscript in our reading room, you will need to register and place a request through our online system. Full instructions are found here.

We highly recommend placing a manuscript request in advance of your visit to the Library.

If you have located a manuscript of interest by searching our Library Catalog Searchue, you may easily place your request by clicking the Request this link. You will be asked to log in and a New Request form will appear with bibliographic details for the manuscript. Complete the form with the date of your visit and then click the submit button.

How do I request permission to publish an image or quote from a manuscript?

The University of Michigan does not hold the copyright for the manuscripts and so cannot grant or deny permission regarding their use to you or your publisher.

However, we are more than happy to acknowledge your use.

Please forward a message with your intention to  to quote, publish, or reproduce an image from a manuscript to the curator, Evyn Kropf (ekropf@umich.edu). In the request, include:

  • a citation for the manuscript following the model provided below
  • a citation for the forthcoming printed work, electronic publication, or media presentation in which the manuscript will be quoted, published or reproduced

How do I cite a manuscript?

We request that you include a proper citation with any quote, reproduction or other publication from a manuscript from the collection. Please follow this model when citing a manuscript, using the appropriate shelfmark / call number and page or folio number:

for example

p.47, Isl. Ms. 860 v.1, University of Michigan Library (Special Collections Research Center), Ann Arbor

You may also cite the catalogue record describing the manuscript by including the url:

  • In Library Catalog Search >> copy the url from your browser's navigation bar and strip off the ? and everything following it, for example https://search.lib.umich.edu/catalog/record/006836532