Materials may be used in the Reading Room but cannot be checked out. While the Special Collections Center staff will respond to telephone, mail, and electronic requests for information, limited staffing prevents us from doing extensive research for such inquiries and forces us to give priority to individuals visiting our facility. Visitors are always welcome but are encouraged to telephone first, particularly if traveling long distances, to assure the facility will be open and to allow staff an opportunity to determine whether relevant materials are in the collection. Visitors must register with staff and be prepared to provide identification. The Center makes every effort to insure that materials in the collection will remain accessible to future researchers for the longest possible time.
Filters block ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and artificial light.
A gas fire suppression system reduces danger from both combustion and water. Collections are stored in a vault accessible to staff only. Usage of materials is supervised by staff and monitored by a CCTV security system. Entrances and exits are electronically locked and controlled by staff. Although an increasing number of items in the collection can be identified through the Library's online catalog, the majority of the material is not accessible electronically.