Policy on Access to & Use of Archives and Special Collections

Who may use the collections

 

Arranging for use of the collections

Arrangements to use Special Collections other than Archives may be made in advance by calling (651)690-6553.  Patrons using Archives and Special Collections must fill out a "Request to use" form for our records.

Rules for using the collections

2.  Researchers may use the indexes provided to identify items s/he wishes to examine;  these items will be retrieved from the collection by the staff person.  The number of items requested at one time may be limited.

3.  Researchers using the collections are allowed only pencils and a notebook -- no pens, please.  Tracing items is not permitted.  Eating or drinking is not permitted while examining items from the collections.

4.  For preservation of the books, users of the collections are asked to treat the collections with respect and to handle all materials with extreme care.  Please do not mark on or fold any pages, take notes on top of pages, or turn volumes face down on the table.  Please wash hands if they become soiled from newsprint or from soiled or aged book covers before handling other items.

5.  Gloves will be provided, and we request that they be worn when handling books published before 1800.  Gloves may also be required to examine certain modern fine editions.  Similarly, the Archivist may advise the use of gloves for researchers examining photos, prints, or other particularly fragile items.

6.  Photocopying must be done by permission only, and at the researcher's expense.  Materials may only be reproduced when such duplication can be done without injury to the material, does not violate donor agreements or copyright restrictions, and does not damage the spine or paper of the materials.  The Director of the Library, Archivist, or Head of Technical Services will decide whether a book is too fragile to be copied.

7.  Access to documents which contain the names of and information about living persons may be restricted.

8.  Permission to publish from unpublished manuscripts or published work under copyright must first be obtained from the holder of copyright.  It is the researcher's responsibility to secure that permission.

9.  For publication of any materials from the collections or archives (photos, etc.), please include a credit line to the effect of "Photo courtesy of the College of St. Catherine Archives."

Policy Revised:  November 1998

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