MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Policy and Procedure Statement 1.19.2
Special Collections: Reading Privileges and Rules
March 2001

 

Special Collections exists to preserve the heritage of the past and to collect important records of contemporary culture, making these materials available for scholarly use. These rules are not devised to impede the use of the materials, but rather to guarantee their preservation and orderly administration. We ask our readers to share our concern to conserve these resources by observing our regulations governing their use.

Use of materials in Special Collections is limited to holders of a Michigan State University faculty/staff or student ID or a MSU Library permit (issued to Michigan residents over 18 years of age.) Out-of-state researchers may request approval for
temporary use from the Special Collections staff member in charge. Temporary permission also may be extended to local area high school students engaged in school related projects; documentation from the appropriate teacher or school administrator
should be presented. Materials will not be issued to children on a parent's ID of to any individual using ID other than his/her own.

Many of the materials in Special Collections were printed on highly fragile and perishable paper. While use of materials for non-research purposes is generally permitted, we reserve the right to limit or prohibit recreational use of materials that are inherently fragile.
   
Policies

1.   Special Collections stack areas are closed to the public. A request form should be presented to the staff person at the reading room desk, who will retrieve the material for use.

2.   The reading room is a quiet area and any noise should be kept to a minimum.

3.   Identification must be presented when material is requested.

4.   Material may be used only in the reading room and should be returned to the reading room desk.

5.   Only materials needed for note-taking, including lap-top computers, may be taken to the reading tables. Coats, briefcases, and other paraphernalia are to be left on the shelves provided. (Lockers are available in several parts of the Library, at no cost.)

6.   Pens may not be used at the reading tables. Special Collections will provide pencils for patrons who need them.

7.   Materials are to be handled carefully:

--Notebooks, etc. should not be placed on top of materials.

--Care should be taken not to lean on top of materials.

--Tracings, or notes of any kind, are not to be made by placing paper on top of materials.

8.   Photocopy service is available when condition of material and copyright restrictions permit. Requests made within 30 minutes of closing will be filled the following work day; large orders may take longer.

9.   Tobacco, food and beverages are not permitted in the reading room.