Archives

Conducting Research

Researchers will be asked to fill out a registration form, check their bags and follow our handling guidelines. An appointment is highly recommended as our staff is very small. You may wish to consult our list of archival fonds and collections to narrow your search before your visit. A consultation with the archivist will help you find all available sources for your topic.

Access to Records

The corporate records of Trinity College are restricted subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Private records are generally open, but may have some restrictions imposed by donors.

Copyright

The Archives may not hold copyright to all materials in its holdings. If a researcher wishes to use information for use other than research and private study, permission of the copyright owner, including Trinity College, must be obtained. Researchers are responsible for observing copyright law.

Copying

Requests for photocopies and digital reproductions will be filled if possible when there are no preservation, donor or legislative restrictions.

SELF-SERVE DIGITAL REPRODUCTIONS: TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Trinity College Archives allows researchers to make one copy of any record in our holdings for research or private study, unless donor or conservation restrictions apply.

Researchers who make digital reproductions must agree to the following conditions:

1. Digital copies will be used solely for research or private study
   • Files will not be shared with others. If there is more than one member of a research team, all members must sign the form
   • Digital documents cannot be copied, printed, published, or posted on the internet without the authorization of the copyright holder
   • The researcher assumes all risk of copyright infringement
   • The researcher is responsible for creating complete and accurate citations for all items that are reproduced
2. The researcher will submit a list of all material to be digitized to the archivist
3. The archivist reserves the right to mandate that a copy of digitized documents be deposited with the Trinity College Archives
4. Material scanned must be handled in accordance with the Trinity College Archives Handling Guidelines
   • The use of flash photography and personal scanners is prohibited
   • Archives staff reserve the right to deny or revoke permission to use digital cameras at any time
5. The researcher agrees to delete the digital files after use

For Students
Students are always welcome in the Archives for research support, enquiries about the College and its history, and access to the publications and papers of former student governments and clubs.

For Faculty
The archivist is available for classroom support regarding the use of primary documents in research. We welcome the use of archival materials for student assignments and would be happy to provide access to pertinent resources.

For Visitors
An exhibit space is available in the corridor outside the archives, showcasing various elements of Trinity history. The archivist is available by appointment for tours of the college art and architecture.

Outside Researchers and Genealogists
The Archives is open to the broader community through phone or email contact, and by appointment.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
The archivist is the Freedom of Information Officer for the College. For more information on FIPPA, please see the University of Toronto website.

Records Management
The Archives is responsible for developing, implementing and supporting records management at Trinity College. Records plans and retention schedules have been developed for most College offices. Please contact the archivist for more information on College records and secure shredding.

Art Collection
The archivist is responsible for the care of works of art held by the College. In conjunction with the Art Committee (composed of staff, alumni and students), decisions are made relating to the hanging, conservation and acquisition of art work which is used to enhance the environment of students and staff. The College is particularly strong in its holdings of mid-20th century Canadian Art. For information about the art collection please contact the archivist.

Lindsay Grant, Rolph-Bell Archivist
Tel: 416-978-2019
Fax: 416-978-2797
trinity.archives@utoronto.ca

Mailing address: Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1H8

The statutes of Trinity College direct the College Archivist to “advise on the management and disposition of College records and to acquire, preserve, and make available for use those College and other records of archival importance to the College.” The Trinity College Archives follows the principle of ‘total archives’ and strives to document the cultural, social, academic and administrative life of the College.

The collection includes the institutional records of the College, records of student organizations, and private papers of individuals associated with Trinity College.

The first College Archivist was Dr. George W. Spragge, a graduate of the College and a former Provincial Archivist of Ontario, who began to systematically collect historical material in 1963. In 2008 the position of Archivist was endowed by Dr. Ruth M. Bell, in honour of her first husband, Professor William Rolph (4T0) and his uncle, Dr. Frederick Rolph, a graduate of the Trinity Medical College. In 2017 a newly renovated space opened, providing the archives with a climate controlled vault, a reading room, processing room and exhibit space.

The current Rolph-Bell Archivist is Lindsay Grant: 416-978-2019 and trinity.archives@utoronto.ca.