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Rules and Policies for Using Collections
- The non-circulating collections that comprise Special Collections and University Archives are available for use in our reading room during business hours.
- Staff members are available for consultation on research topics.
- Researchers are asked to use pencil and paper and/or a laptop computer only when taking notes. Bags, phone, camera, other electronics and personal items will be stowed on nearby shelving.
- Limited, controlled photography by researchers for private research use only is permitted; however, photography of selected collections and/or materials is not allowed. Please ask before taking any photographs. Only cell-phone cameras are permitted.
- Selected manuscripts, images and pages from books may be copied for private research use only if the items can withstand the stress of copying.
- Copies and photographs are allowed with the understanding that they are for the convenience of the individual who takes them in order to facilitate research and that they may not be consulted by or transferred to any other person or institution without written permission.
- Special Collections and University Archives reserves the right to limit the number of copies made for or photos taken by any researcher.
- Advice on handling the material will be given to those new to primary source or rare book research. All material should be handled carefully and not marked in any way. Researchers should not rest paper, books or hands on materials while working. Books should not be propped against the edge of a table or on other books. Cover supports, book cradles and archival-quality bookmarks are available from the staff.
- Research requests received through the mail, e-mail, or over the telephone will be handled as time, the availability of staff and the fragility of the material allows. Due to limitations imposed by the small size of the staff, we cannot handle requests that require extensive research or copying on our part.
