Visit the Special Collections Library for your next field trip!
We offer free tours to all K-12 school groups. Please fill out the form at least two weeks in advance so that we are able to review/schedule the trip. Note for Fall 2026: Our Fall calendar is filling up, so please be sure to get requests in as soon as possible! If you have any questions, please reach out to MeredithBYoung@uga.edu.
Our collections house thousands of manuscripts, photos, documents, books, and more from Georgia’s and the University of Georgia’s history. Our exhibit galleries feature curated selections from our collections presented in an engaging, educational format. Exhibit content changes throughout the year. Visit our website to see a list of current exhibits on display.
For grades 7-12:
Your visit includes a guided tour of the galleries that incorporates an escape-room style game. Students will be expected to search for clues and solve puzzles while interacting with materials on display. Visit length: 60 minutes.
For grades 2-6:
Your visit includes a (1) a 40-minute guided tour of the galleries that incorporates an escape-room style game, and (2) a short lesson and connected craft/activity. Visit Length: 2 hours.
Group Size
Our exhibit space accommodates a maximum of 70 students at a time; this larger group should arrive pre-divided into two smaller groups of 35 students (or less) each unless otherwise specified. Each group must have a minimum of one chaperone or teacher per every 10 students who are present at all times. If your group consists of 30 students or less, there is no need to divide the students into multiple groups.
If you have more than 70 students…Up to 120 students can be accommodated on a single day, but they must be divided into two waves. If you have more than 70 students in your group, you must arrange at least one other campus activity to divide your group. We recommend a North Campus walking tour or a visit to the art museum!
Space for meals
We do not provide meals to groups and are not able to provide inside space to accommodate your group at lunch time. If you are interested in eating in one of the campus dining halls, group dining requests must be submitted to Auxiliary Services at least 3 business days before intended dining date. There are also restaurants on campus and downtown.
Parking
Passenger vans or cars can access hourly paid parking in the Hull Street Deck only after 1:00PM Monday through Thursday and anytime on Fridays. Visitors can pay for parking via the kiosks located on the 3rd floor by the elevators, or on their phones using the ParkMobil app.
If your group arrives in a bus, you can plan to drop off students near the entrance on Hull Street. The driver will remain with the bus during the field trip and the bus can be parked in the upper lot of the Jack Turner Softball Stadium located at 2330 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30605.
Can’t make it in-person? Learn about our In-School Offerings!
We know a visit to the UGA Special Collections Building is not possible for every group, but there are still ways to connect your students to our resources! Visit our K-12 Resources Page to learn more about our in-school offerings and reach out to sclib@uga.edu for additional information.