The Special Collections Research Center maintains non-circulating book and non-book materials. All materials must be used in the Special Collections Reading Room. Much of the material in Special Collections & University Archives is housed off-site and will require additional time for retrieval. Please call to inquire about availability.
Rules Governing Use of Materials in Special Collections & University Archives
- All researchers must agree to this list of rules before using materials.
Failure to obey these rules may result in denial of use of the collections.
Registration
- All researchers will register, providing a name and contact information. A valid photo ID is required to verify identity.
- Signing the registration card constitutes agreement to obey all rules.
General Rules
- No food or drinks of any kind are allowed within the Special Collections registration area or the reading room, regardless of the container they are in.
- Coats and bags of any kind (including purses) are to be left in a locker. They are not allowed in the reading room.
- Only pencils will be used when in the presence of Special Collections materials.
- Materials may not be removed from the public area of Special Collections except by Special Collections staff.
- Talking, including the use of cell phones, is prohibited in the reading room.
Handling of books
- Books in phase boxes should be completely removed from the box before use.
- The spines of books should always be kept flat on the table - never propped on anything.
- Books with brittle spines should have the covers set on wedges or blocks to avoid breaking the spine. (Some books cannot be opened all the way.)
Handling of manuscript materials
- Manuscript boxes should be kept on a cart at the front of the room. A researcher should only have one box at his/her table at a time.
- Folders should be removed from boxes one at a time. They should be replaced with "Out" cards to make sure they stay in order.
- Pages that a researcher would like to mark (for photocopying, etc.) can be marked with paper
strips kept at the registration desk.
Reproduction of materials
- Requests for reproductions must be approved by Special Collections staff. Permission may be denied due to copyright restrictions or the condition of the materials.
- In general, reproductions of materials will be handled by Special Collections staff. However, researchers
are allowed to take images of materials using digital, video or film cameras, as long as no flash or other
extra lighting is used. Special Collections reserves to the right to regulate or prohibit researchers'
photography in order to protect materials.
- Pages that a researcher would like to mark (for photocopying, etc.) can be marked with acid-free paper
strips kept at the registration desk. Pages should not be folded, turned, or taken out of order.
Under no circumstances should Post-it notes, paper clips, or anything else be attached to materials.
