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Automotive History Collection National
Automotive History Collection 
Contact
Information
Location:
Skillman
Branch Library
121 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Phone:
(313) 481-1862
Fax: (313) 962-1222
Hours: Monday - Thursday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Closed Friday
Coordinator
for Special Collections: Mark Bowden
E-mail: mbowden@detroitpubliclibrary.org
Direct reference questions to: nahc@detroitpubliclibrary.org

Description:
Located in the Rose and Robert Skillman Branch Library
of the Detroit Public Library, the National Automotive
History Collection (NAHC) is regarded as the nation's
premier public automotive archive. The NAHC documents
the history and development of the automobile and other
forms of motorized, wheeled, land transportation in the
United States and abroad.
Since
the late nineteenth century, the Detroit Public Library has aggressively collected
automotive print materials such as books, periodicals, advertising literature,
photographs, specifications, service and owner's manuals, and personal and business
papers. In recognition of this effort, the library established the NAHC as a collection
in 1953. The
NAHC contains resources of over 600,000 processed items. Thousands of photographs
which depict the automobile's historical, social, mechanical, and design aspects
are available for public viewing, research, and publication. Automobile manuscript
files contain more than 350,000 technical and descriptive items that illuminate
the styling detail, specifications, and restoration of the automobile. Biographical
files, personal papers, and business documents of both pioneers and corporate
leaders offer insight into the development, industrial psychology, and economics
of the automotive industry. Rich
in automotive fact and lore, international in scope, customers will agree that
the NAHC offers unsurpassed resources and reference services.
Services
In an effort to
provide quality customer assistance, the National Automotive History Collection
offers the following services: - Reference
questions answered in person, by telephone, fax, mail, and email
- Black
and white photocopy service: 20 cents per copy and $2.00 postage
- Photographic
reproduction service
- Federal
Express service available on user's account number
- Tours
by appointment
If it is not possible to visit the collection, the NAHC can recommend private
researchers for in-depth inquiries. Interlibrary
Loan
At the discretion of the library, the NAHC honors
interlibrary loan requests for books and articles from outside researchers
that are placed through their local public or academic library.
E-Resources
The Changing Face of the Auto Industry
The
Changing Face of the Auto Industry, a demonstration project
of the making of modern Michigan.
Learn
More>
LIBRARY CUSTOMERS PARK FOR
LESS.
Library
customers who visit the Skillman Branch/The National Automotive
History Collection and park their vehicles in the city
of Detroit-owned Premier underground Garage near the Branch
can now save $1.50 off the cost of the first two hours
of parking. That is half off regular parking charge.
To obtain this discount customers should have their tickets
stamped at our circulation desk. For more information
call us at 313 628 2750.
Please Note: Not
valid on game days.
Must present validated ticket to staffed garage exit window.
ATTENTION
NON-RESIDENT CUSTOMERS
You
will need a Library Card or a daily use pass to access
materials in the following collections :
Burton
Historical Collection
E. Azalia Hackley Collection
National Automotive History Collection
FEES:
A Non-resident library card is $100
A
Daily Use Pass is $10.
Click
here for more information>
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