The Moakley Archive and Institute provides reference and research assistance, classroom instruction, programming, exhibits and other outreach services that help patrons use and understand our collections.

Hours and Location

Moakley Archive and Institute
Suffolk University
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108-4977
Email: archives@suffolk.edu
(617)-305-6277 Fax (617)-305-6275

The Archive and Institute is located in the Special Collections Room (5th Floor) of the John Joseph Moakley Library in Sargent Hall.

• Take the elevator to the 6th floor.
• Enter the Moakley Law Library (if asked for identification, tell staff that you have an appointment at the Archive)
• Walk down one flight of stairs to the 5th floor or take the internal elevator immediately to your right upon entering the library.
• The Archive is room 515 (at the bottom of the stairs to the left).

The Archive and Institute is open to the public and members of the Suffolk University community.

• Office hours are Monday-Friday 9-5. 
• Call 617-305-6277 or email smunshi@suffolk.edu to schedule a research appointment.  
• The Archive is closed on University holidays.

Staff Contact Information

Research Assistance and Reference Requests

Archive staff provides the following research assistance to all patrons:

• Identifying relevant resources and collections 
• Reviewing available finding aids and research tools
• Assistance searching the SMART catalog
• Answers to "fast fact" reference questions
• Guidance for in-depth research projects

Classroom Instruction

Engaging students with primary-source documents develops their critical thinking and information literacy skills. The Archive works with faculty to develop classes that teach students primary source research skills using our collections. We also encourge faculty to develop courses using our materials. Please contact us for more information. Go to slideshare.net/moakleyarchive for access to the classroom guides and powerpoint presentations used in classes. Examples of the classroom guides that students use are below:

Pieces of Suffolk History (.pdf)
Boston’s Busing Crisis: Joe Moakley, Judge Garrity and the people of Massachusetts (.pdf)
Using Congressman Moakley’s Papers to Understand the Salvadoran Civil War: Examining the 1989 Jesuit Murders (.pdf)