Accessing and Handling Rare Material

Reference & Material Use Guidelines

Accessing Material From Rare Books

Security of our collections, while providing reasonable access to them, is a major component of our mission.

• All personal belongings must be stored in a locker outside the Special Collections Reference and Reading Room. Researchers are provided with a key to their locker.
•  All researchers are asked to provide a current, valid photo ID before using our materials.
• Researchers are provided with yellow paper and pencil for taking notes. Researchers may use personal laptops minus any casing.
• Rare Books materials may be used only in the Special Collections Reading Room. Researchers do not have access to the closed stacks. 
• More than one item may be requested, but only one item may be used at a time.
• Researchers submit the minimum information of a call number to the Special Collections Reference desk staff. Material is delivered to the researcher by staff.
• Material may be reproduced by Rare Books staff only. Reproduction will be approved on an item by item basis by the Rare Books curator or associate curator. A minimum of 24 hours may be required to provide reproduction. Reproduction is very damaging to printed material. We strongly discourage reproduction unless absolutely necessary. 

Handling and Careful Use

Necessary Tips & Tools to Help Properly Care for Material

Careful use of our collections ensures that they will be available for generations to come.

• Patrons must have clean hands. Please wash hands with soap and hot water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Patrons will be asked to use a baby-wipe product to clean hands before working with rare material. Wipe hands thoroughly front and back, paying particular attention to fingertips. Repeat. Shake thoroughly dry.
• Book cradles Staff positions material on cradles, or other supports, if necessary, to protect the structural integrity of the item.
• Leaded beads Carefully draped beads over open material may help researchers read without pressing on the item.
• Open material from the center, working backward and forward as needed.
• Gently turn one page at a time.
• Leave material flat or as positioned by staff. Please do not pick up or hold material.
• Do not alter, deface, trace, or lean on material.
• #2 pencils, yellow sheets of paper, provided by staff, and laptops without housings may be used
• Material may be reproduced by Rare Books staff only. Reproductions will be approved on an item by item basis by the head of Rare Books or its curator. A minimum of 24 hours may be required to provide reproductions. Reproduction is very damaging to printed material. We strongly discourage reproduction requests unless absolutely necessary.