Q. How do I view historical photographs or images in Special Collections?

Photographs housed in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections are searchable. The photograph collection can be searched in the HBLL catalog by name, place or subject. In the results field, choose 'resource type' in the left side filter, then choose 'photographs'. If the photograph is online, there will be a thumbnail to click on. If it is only available in Special Collections, you may come to the Help Desk and request to view the collection. 

Please request to view photos one day in advance. 

Photographs are kept in the cold vault and require 24 hours to warm up before viewing in the reading room. 

Many Special Collections historical photographs may also be searched online through the Special Collections Photograph Archives.

For more information about our historical photograph collections, visit or call the Special Collections Help Desk at 801-422-3175, or email at specialcollections@byu.edu

For more information about Special Collections, see: https://lib.byu.edu/special-collections/ or https://guides.lib.byu.edu/special-collections