Policies and Procedures

1. The books and manuscripts in Special Collections are available for research use, subject to the following rules:

1. Material from these collections does not circulate and must be consulted in the Reading Room, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2. Briefcases, coats, and all items not required for research must be left in the reception area closet before entering the Reading Room.
3. Readers must complete a registration form on their first visit.
4. Readers must sign the register daily and present valid photo-identification.
5. Books must be requested on the "Printed Materials Request" form. Readers who wish to use manuscript materials must consult a librarian and complete an "Application for Permission to Use Manuscripts."
6. Readers are permitted to use one book at a time. Exceptions may be made by the person on duty if appropriate. (Examples: readers using multi-volume sets or working on textual comparisons).
7. All inquiries concerning photocopying must be referred to a librarian.
8. Special Collections material must be handled with great care. USE PENCIL ONLY. Do not make any marks on the materials, and do not open uncut pages.
9. Keep Special Collections materials on reading room table surfaces at all times, unless provided special supports for the materials by the desk attendant.
10. No books, papers, or other objects (except the special weights provided by the desk attendant to hold books open) may be laid on Special Collections materials.
11. When using manuscripts material, do not disturb the arrangement of papers or folders.
12. When you have finished using material, please return it to the desk and wait until the material has been checked in.
13. It is possible to place material on "Hold" if you plan to make repeated use of the material within the week. Please inform the desk attendant whether you will be using the material again during the next week.

Reproducing and Photographing Special Collections Materials

1. Applications to reproduce Special Collections materials must be submitted using the attached form.
2. All requests for photography must be approved by a Special Collections librarian.
3. A copy stand for photography is available for use in the Special Collections reading room.
4. Approved photography is allowed by appointment ONLY. Please call (302) 831-2229 to make an appointment.
5. Permission to reproduce or to photograph does not imply permission to publish.

Rules Governing Use of Manuscripts

The manuscript collections of the University of Delaware Library are available for research use by students, faculty, and visiting scholars. All manuscript users must complete an application form, provide valid photo-identification (institutional ID, driver's license), and sign the register daily. Special permission may be required for access to restricted collections. All material must be used in the Special Collections reading room, in accordance with the general Special Collections Regulations. The University of Delaware Library reserves the right to limit the amount of material issued to a reader at any one time.

Locating Manuscripts

Researchers can locate manuscripts through a variety of finding aids including a card catalog index, manuscript accession sheets, and separate indexes, calendars, and inventories to individual collections. Selected collections have also been cataloged into DELCAT, the University of Delaware Library's online catalog. Readers should consult a Special Collections librarian for assistance in locating manuscripts.

Photocopying Manuscripts

The University of Delaware Library will permit a reasonable amount of photocopying from its manuscript holdings, but reserves the right to restrict copying from any of its collections and to deny requests for copies. Photocopies are for reference use only and may not be transferred to any other person or institution without specific permission of the University of Delaware Library. A librarian must approve all photocopy requests, which may be submitted on the "application to reproduce Special Collections materials" form.

Permission to Publish Manuscripts

Permission to consult or reproduce manuscripts does not constitute authorization to publish them. Permission to publish manuscript materials in the University of Delaware Library must be obtained in writing from a Special Collections librarian. The letter of application should specify the materials to be reproduced and the publication in which they will be used. Permission is granted insofar as the University is the owner of property rights and does not include literary rights, which must be obtained by the researcher or publisher from the author, or the author's heirs, estate, or literary executor.