Policies
Rules for Researchers
1. The Department of Archives and Special Collections Reading Room is open by appointment only. Please contact one of the Archives and Special Collections staff for an appointment.
2. On their first visit to the reading room, researchers must complete a registration form, provide official photographic identification, and sign the daily visitor log. On subsequent visits, they need only sign the daily visitor log.
3. Please use pencils only. The department will supply notepaper and pencils, if needed. No pens or markers are allowed inside the reading room. Researchers may not mark any departmental materials. Do not rest notepaper directly on books or manuscripts when taking notes; tracing is not permitted.
4. No food or drink, including water, gum or lozenges, is allowed inside the reading room.
5. A locker located outside the Department will be assigned to each registered researcher, who must store briefcases, purses, laptop cases, bags, coats, food items (including water bottles), cell phones and other non-research items in the assigned locker before entering the reading room. Oversized items that do not fit inside a locker must be checked with the reading room attendant. Staff reserves the right to inspect researchers’ possessions when they leave the reading room.
6. Researchers must complete and sign call slips before using materials. Staff reserves the right to limit the number of items a researcher may use. Requests for materials should be made in advance of the research appointment whenever possible. Staff may be unable to page materials from storage during the appointed research visit.
7. Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections do not circulate and must be used within the reading room. Only registered researchers are allowed into the reading room area and may not be accompanied by persons not using departmental materials.
8. All materials are to be handled with care and in the manner directed by Department staff. Some materials may require the use of cotton gloves, book supports or other research aids. All materials must be left in their present order and arrangement. When necessary for reasons of preservation, photocopies or other facsimiles or transcriptions may be made available in lieu of the original.
9. Computers or tape recorders may be used with advance permission. Cameras and other photographic equipment may be used with prior permission only in accordance with procedures outlined in the Fee Schedule.
10. Reprographic requests, such as photocopies or scans, will be carried out by, and at the discretion of, the staff. Charges for these services are listed in the current Fee Schedule, and advance payment is required. The staff reserves the right to limit the number of photocopies or scans which may be obtained. If the possibility of damage to the materials exists, staff will not fulfill the request. Staff may be unable to fill reprographic requests during the research visit. Arrangements for delivery may be made with the reading room attendant.
11. Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. The University does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author, artist or creator or his/her heirs, assignees or executors.
12. Permission to publish materials from Archives and Special Collections must be obtained from the head of the Department in advance of publication.
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