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Research

Reading Room - Handling Guidelines

Policies & Procedures

Reading Room – Handling Guidelines

Please contact a Reference staff member if you have any questions regarding the handling, use, or reproduction of materials.

Use pencils only

  1. Do not make any marks, erasures, or any other changes in the documents.
  2. Do not write on top of the materials.

Handle all items with care

  1. All items must remain on the table while being used. Nothing may be placed in the lap or propped against the table.
  2. Use book cradles that are assigned by Reference staff.
  3. Place nothing on top of Center for American History materials; Do not write on, alter, lean on, fold anew, or trace materials.
  4. Turn pages slowly and carefully, touching only the margins if possible.
  5. Wear the provided cotton gloves when working with photographic materials.
  6. Remove materials from boxes and open folders to use documents or to insert photoduplication sheets.

Do not disturb the order of archival materials

  1. Keep all collections in their existing order and arrangement.
  2. Notify Reading Room staff if you suspect any errors; do not address errors on your own.
  3. Maintain the sequence of folders within the box.
  4. Maintain the sequence within the folder; pages will stay in order if turned like the pages of a book.
  5. Folder contents should be aligned properly as you move through them; do not shake down the contents.
  6. If you need anything duplicated, use the forms available in the Reading Room and follow instructions on the worksheet.

Duplication

  1. All photocopying is subject to the approval of the CAH staff.
  2. CAH staff only will copy materials in manuscripts boxes.
  3. CAH staff only will copy photographic materials.
  4. No items may be removed from the Reading Room for self service copying without the approval of the CAH staff.
  5. Place photocopying flags perpendicular to pages for easy identification.
  6. Maps, newspapers, and other materials larger than 11' x 17” will not be copied.
  7. If you would like to purchase photographic reproductions, please contact Reference staff for more information.