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Using the Collections
CONDITIONS OF USEThe national manuscript collection may be consulted by any adult engaged in serious research who presents a valid Library of Congress issued reader card, completes the Manuscript Division's registration process, and agrees to adhere to the division's rules for the use of rare materials. Student access to collections is limited to those engaged in graduate study. Undergraduates with previous experience in using manuscripts who are working on a senior thesis, advanced seminar paper, or similar research project under the direction of a faculty member will be admitted upon an introduction in person or in writing by their advisers. Minors are not admitted to the Manuscript Reading Room.All researchers are advised to e-mail or telephone the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site, and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Restrictions on the use of certain materials have been imposed by donors or for reasons of national security. Information governing the use of any specific group of manuscripts will be supplied upon request. Prospective readers should bear in mind the restrictions on photocopying and publication imposed by the Copyright Act of 1976. It is the responsibility of the prospective users or their publishers to determine the copyright status or obtain the required permissions before publication of manuscript material from the Library's collections. READING ROOM RULES AND REGULATIONSPrior to entering the Manuscript Reading Room, readers will be asked to read and sign a statement similar to the following: Researchers are required to observe the following rules: 1. REGISTRATION. First-time users must complete a registration card. Readers must present a verified Library of Congress photo ID. Readers with unverified cards will be admitted only with the approval of the head of the reading room or senior staff. The security officer will enter the researcher's name, Library of Congress ID number, and locker number in the log. Each time a researcher enters or exits the reading room, the officer will annotate the log. 2. PERSONAL PROPERTY. No personal belongings, including briefcases, notebooks, books, folders, envelopes, purses, or hats are allowed in the reading room. The use of electronic communications devices, such as wireless phones and pagers, is prohibited, and such devices must be silenced. Laptop computers are allowed, but the use of any other electronic devices is subject to staff approval. Cameras and tripods are allowed for making research copies, but scanners are prohibited. Outer garments, including vests, sweaters with pockets, coats, suit coats, and sports jackets, are subject to search. Free lockers are provided to secure personal property. Exceptions may be requested for notes or other material essential to research. These items must be approved and stamped by reference staff before being brought into the reading room. Notes may be taken only on the paper or note cards provided in the reading room. Pens may not be used, and pencils are provided. Locker keys must be returned at the end of the day. 3. ALL CONTAINERS MUST STAY ON TRUCKS. Only one container at a time may be withdrawn from a box. Cardboard dummies are provided to mark the place where folders should be refiled. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT OF MATERIALS IN EACH FOLDER. Report any serious disarrangement to the reference staff. 4. PHOTOCOPYING. Researchers must bring all manuscripts to the desk for examination by reference staff before photocopying. In general, unbound manuscripts may be copied on the machines in the reading room. Exceptions include 1) donor-imposed restrictions, 2) fragile condition, 3) material owned by other repositories, and 4) classified material. Only one folder at a time may be withdrawn for photocopying. Microfilm copies must be stamped with the statement, Reproduced from the collections of the Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. This appears automatically on reproductions made on the photocopy machines. In general, bound material can be reproduced by the Library's Photoduplication Service. 5. MICROFILM EDITIONS. To promote preservation of the originals, researchers are required to consult microfilm editions as available unless there is compelling reason to consult the originals. 6. HELP SAVE OUR COLLECTIONS. Do not make marks on manuscripts, do not write notes on top of manuscripts, do not rest books or other objects on top of manuscripts. Handle loose sheets or bound pages by their edges; avoid touching the surface as much as possible. Exercise the greatest possible care in handling fragile manuscripts. The staff will furnish gloves for handling photographs and other especially vulnerable items. 7. COPYRIGHT. The status of copyright in the unpublished writings in the custody of the Manuscript Division is governed by the Copyright Act of 1976 (PL 94-553; Title 17, USC), and the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 (PL 105-298) (known as the "Sonny Bono" Act). It is the obligation of the researcher to fulfill the requirements of the Copyright Act. Since the Library of Congress ordinarily does not own the copyright in either published or unpublished manuscripts in its custody, it can neither grant nor deny permission to publish or quote in published form from manuscripts in its collections. 8. POLICE INSPECTION. All material that a researcher wishes to remove from the reading room must be examined by the security officer. It is a violation of federal law punishable by fine and/or imprisonment to steal or willfully damage or destroy manuscripts, books or other Library property. 18 USC 641; 18 USC 1361; 18 USC 2071; 22 D.C. Code 3106; and LCR 610 S 5, LCR 1812. Researchers should be aware that surveillance cameras are recording all activity in the Manuscript Reading Room. 9. Researchers must follow all directions of the reference staff regarding the handling of manuscript material. I have read and agree to abide by the above rules and regulations of the Manuscript Division Reading Room. I understand that if I violate these rules, the Manuscript Division may deny me use of its facilities and collections. Revised June 8, 2007 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION AND PERMISSION TO QUOTEIt should be noted that the Library of Congress ordinarily does not own the copyright in either published or unpublished manuscripts in its custody. Therefore it can neither grant nor deny permission to publish or quote in published form from manuscripts in its collections. It should also be noted that neither titles nor facts can be copyrighted; therefore, permission is not required to cite a collection as a source or to use facts from it. In general, when copyright interests do subsist in unpublished manuscripts, these interests are the property of the author or of the author's heirs or assigns. Copyright ownership does not accompany physical ownership of a manuscript, although the owner of copyright interests may assign or sell such interests to the owner of the physical property. For more information about copyright, please refer to the U. S. Copyright Office Web page at <http://www.copyright.gov>. COLLECTIONS STORED OFF-SITEReaders interested in consulting any of the division's collections are advised to write or telephone the Manuscript Reading Room at (202) 707-5387 before visiting. Many processed and nearly all unprocessed collections are stored off site, and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.Processed collections which are stored off-site are listed below. To obtain access to them, please contact the Manuscript Reading Room several days in advance of your visit to assure that the containers you wish to consult will be available when you arrive. Although the list of off-site collections is updated periodically, the storage location of collections can change at any time. You are urged to contact the Manuscript Reading Room in advance of your visit, even if the collection you wish to use does not appear on this list.
SPECIAL NOTICESThere are no special notices at this time. |
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