Special Collections: Policies
Access
The Department of Special Collections is open to any interested researcher upon presentation of a valid CASE ID or other valid official identification card. Special tours or presentations may be arranged by request to the Special Collections staff.
Access to the book collections is through the Library's online catalog. Information about the collections and guides for the manuscripts may be found in the Collections section. If you are seeking a specific rare book title and it does not appear in the online catalog contact the Special Collections staff for further assistance at (216) 368-0189 or (216) 368-2993.
Rules Governing the Use of the Special Collections Reading Room
- Readers must register daily in the Visitors' Book.
- The Special Collections Reading Room is reserved for patrons using the special collections materials.
- All briefcases and packages must be left by the coat rack. Readers may be required to submit large handbags for inspection upon leaving the department.
- No food or drink is allowed in the Reading Room.
- Laptop computers may be used in the Reading Room; faceplates are available to access the network.
Rules Governing the Use of Special Collections Materials
- All Special Collections materials are non-circulating. Special Collections stacks are open only to the Special Collections staff.
- If the text of the materials being requested from the Department of Special Collections is available in another form in the Kelvin Smith Library, readers may be asked to use this for all preliminary research.
- A separate call slip must be prepared for each item requested for use in the Reading Room. A limited number of materials may be kept on reserve for daily use by arrangement with the staff.
- Extreme care must be taken by the reader in the use of Special Collections materials. Under no circumstances should the reader rearrange, alter or mark materials. Post-it notes may not be used.
- Books must not be laid open face down or propped open with other volumes or objects. Foam supports and book weights will be provided upon request.
- Pencils only may be used in the Reading Room.
- Readers must not make tracings or rubbings of materials nor write on paper laid on them.
- Readers are asked to bring uncut leaves or any peculiarities or mutilations to the attention of the staff.
- Manuscripts must lie flat on the surface of the reading table and kept in the exact order in which they were received. Any apparent disarrangement should be reported to the Special Collections staff.
- Patrons may use only one manuscript box, or in some cases, one manuscript folder at any given time.
- Publication of manuscript materials requires permission of the Librarian, citation in a prescribed manner and compliance with present copyright laws. Citations should be written as follows: Department of Special Collections, Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University.
- Readers must, in person, return all materials to the staff.
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