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Policies

The use of laptops, tablets and cellphones (without flash) is permitted in the reading room for all collections without federal and/or donor-imposed restrictions. No pictures may be taken of LSC staff, other LSC Users or the room itself.

The following items are not permitted in the Reading Room:

  • Food or drink
  • Containers: all folders, binders, envelopes, boxes, cases, bags/purses and other containers must be stored in the provided lockers
  • Pens, highlighters, markers or stick-on notes.
  • Chewing gum
  • Smoking
  • Cell phone conversations
  • Electronic scanners and/or ancillary photography and lighting equipment
  • White paper or personal notes (unless approved by LSC staff)
  • Personal notes/books: notebooks, binders, folders and loose papers are not permitted in the reading room.
  • Users may access one folder of manuscript material at a time, one box at a time; bookrests must be used with all books. The order and arrangement of materials must be preserved; please notify the desk attendant of any irregularities.
  • All material must remain in plain view on the reading room tables and be kept as flat as possible. Nothing may be placed on LSC material, except LSC-provided book weights.
  • Readers are prohibited from standing on chairs, placing materials on the floor and rearranging the furniture.
  • Users may leave and re-enter the reading room as needed, but your seat may be forfeited if you leave the Reading Room for 30 minutes or more.

LSC materials must be handled with care:

  • Bound volumes must be supported in LSC-provided book cradles.
  • Never apply pressure to the bindings.
  • Items must be kept in order within both folders and boxes.
  • Users may not remove items in mylar sleeves or cut unopened book leaves.
  • All items are subject to examination upon entering or exiting the Reading Room.

Library Special Collections Request System

Request access and duplication orders for Special Collections materials with a LSC User Account in the Library Special Collections Request System.
Create or Access your LSC User Account
Create or Access your LSC User Account