The materials housed in the Special Collections require special care and handling. Many items are of special significance to the Albright College community, or are one of a kind and cannot be replaced. The following rules and regulations are not intended to hinder research, but rather to provide access to the collections in a manner that ensures their careful preservation for future generations.
Materials are to be used only in the Reading Room under the supervision of Special Collections staff. The quantity of material provided at any one time may be limited.
Coats, briefcases, book bags, and other personal property not essential to conducting research must be placed near the coat tree.
Users should have a specific question or a complete call number when requesting an item. Browsing the collection is not permitted.
All materials are available for in-house use only, except for sealed materials. Fragility or obsolete technology may prevent use.
Take notes with a pencil only; pens, highlighters and Post-It notes are not allowed. Do not place notepaper on books or manuscripts when taking notes. No existing marks may be erased.
Materials must be handled with care; they must not be leaned on, written on, or folded.
Materials may be copied at the discretion of the Special Collections Librarian; many materials are fragile or restricted.
Scanners and cameras are not permitted.
Food and drink are not permitted in the Reading Room. No smoking or other tobacco products are allowed in the room.
The user agrees not to publish materials without the written permission of the Special Collections Librarian. In no case does permission to publish imply transfer of copyright or proprietary rights. Any publication of material from Special Collections must credit Special Collections. The Special Collections Librarian requests that the researcher cite the full name of the collection and of Special Collections. For example, The Byron Vazakas Collection, Special Collections/Gingrich Library, Albright College, Reading, PA.
Before leaving, researchers must return all materials to the staff. Upon request, materials needed for continued research will be held for the researcher for a agreed upon time.
