You are invited to take advantage of Special Collections rich and vast resources including archives, rare books, and manuscripts. At the same time, the Special Collections staff has a responsibility to protect and preserve these materials. To reconcile these two important goals, the following rules govern the use of Special Collections material while in the Reading Room at Honnold/Mudd (please note that the Rules for Readers might differ in Denison Library):
- Special Collections materials are in closed stacks and do not circulate. Items will be paged by a staff member for use by researchers in the Reading Room only.
- Researchers must fill out call slips for materials and show valid Claremont Colleges’ I.D. or other valid photo identification. Researchers may have up to four books with them at the table.
- Most paging requests will be filled immediately. Advanced notice may be required for some materials.
- All personal belongings, including jackets and purses, must be stored on the shelves provided; researchers may keep with them whatever paper and reference materials are necessary to do their work. Personal electronic devices are prohibited unless research related. Researchers should remove their personal belongings from the Reading Room when they leave the department. Special Collections is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Handle all items with care. Do not write on, lean on, put weights on, or otherwise mishandle material. You may be required to use a book support or another apparatus when using fragile material. Uncut book pages are opened by a staff member only. Do not erase any marks from books or manuscripts. Special Collections staff may deny a researcher use of material for improper handling.
- Use only pencil while working in Special Collections; ink is not allowed at all.
- Laptop computers are permitted; personal scanners are prohibited.
- No eating, drinking (including water bottles and travel mugs), or smoking.
- Photocopying and scanning are done as time and staffing levels permit. There may be a wait for copying orders.
- When handling manuscript and archival material, please use one folder at a time unless otherwise instructed by a Special Collections staff member. Original order of the papers must be maintained within the folders.
- Photographs will be handled carefully, one at a time. Researchers will wear cotton gloves while viewing photographs.
- Materials may be “on hold” in the Reading Room for no longer than one semester; materials may be held for longer by arrangement.
- All special circumstances are subject to staff consideration and approval.