University Archives and Special Collections welcomes all users to do their research with us. However, the rare and sometimes fragile nature of our holdings necessitates the enforcement of some simple rules to ensure the protection of the materials.

Approved Tools for Researchers in the Reading Room

• Paper and pencils
• Research notes
• Laptop computers and cameras
• Cell phones and other personal communication devices as long as sound is turned off

Items Prohibited in the Reading Room

• Food and drink
• Tobacco products
• Briefcases, backpacks and books
• Purses and coats
• Umbrellas and shopping bags
• Portable photocopiers and scanners
• ANY other items that might be used to conceal collection materials or constitute a threat to the security of collection materials

Using Materials

• Archives staff will be happy to advise on the proper handling of all materials. Please feel free to ask for assistance.
• Researchers are asked to use materials from one box of materials at a time and must preserve the original arrangement of collections.
• Researchers may be asked to wear gloves when handling rare books or any photographic materials that are not in protective sleeves.
• Researchers should keep documents flat on the table and practice extreme care in handling them. Researchers must not apply Post-it notes, nor make marks or erasures on research materials.
• Literary rights to collection materials are not necessarily in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from the copyright holders to quote, cite, reproduce, or otherwise use collection materials. The copyright holder may be an individual or entity other than the University of the South.
• Researchers are required to obtain permission for use and cite fully collection materials if they are used in publications.
• No removal of any collection materials under any circumstances.