University Archives & Historical Collections

tel 517.355.2330 / fax 517.353.9319 / email archives@msu.edu

	Collections		Research Room		Copyright

Research Room Use

Regulations for Research Room Use

The purpose of the Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections is twofold: first, to preserve and maintain the permanent, non-current records of the University as well as relevant collections of historical materials donated by individuals and organizations; and second, to make these materials available for research. The following guidelines ensure the Archives' success in these areas.

Procedures for Obtaining Materials

Each researcher must complete a "Researcher Application" form for each research project in order to establish his/her identity (must show valid photo identification -- driver's license, university i.d. card), and to assist the Archives staff in locating potentially useful sources (Data from this form may be used for statistical and research topic summaries).

Sign the guest register each time you visit the Archives.

A call slip must be filled out for each collection requested to facilitate its retrieval from the stacks and to establish responsibility for its use. Only one box or volume of requested material will be issued at a time.

The researcher is responsible for returning all materials to a staff member. Please return all materials by 11:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

No materials may leave the Archives, nor may they be transferred to another researcher. A University administrative unit may request the temporary return of its own records for administrative purposes.

While in the reading room please store personal belongings (briefcases, knapsacks, notebooks, purses, etc.) in the lockers provided; keys are available. Coats, jackets, and umbrellas should be hung on the coat rack. As a security measure, the Archives reserves the right to inspect all articles used at the reading tables.

Researchers are permitted only in the reading room.

Care of Materials

All materials must be handled with care. Marks should never be added or erased. Tracing and rubbing are prohibited. Loose sheets and volume pages should be handled by their edges. Documents should be kept flat on the table. Please do not touch the surface of photographic prints. Cotton gloves (supplied by the Archives) must be worn when examining negatives.

Remove only one folder from a box at a time. Do not remove materials from the folders. Maintaining the exact order of material in a folder, and folders within a box is of singular importance. If a mistake in arrangement is discovered, please call it to the attention of the reference archivist; do not rearrange material yourself.

Due to the potential damage from ink, only pencils or portable computers may be used for note-taking purposes. Only items necessary for research are permitted at the table. All other items must be stored in the lockers.

Mutilation, destruction, or theft of materials is subject to prosecution.

Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the reading room.

Duplication and Citation

Researchers needing materials duplicated should ask at the reference desk about procedures. All duplication of materials is done by the archives staff and may not be ready immediately. The cost of photocopies is $0.20 per page. The cost for scanning materials is $5.00 per scan.

Citation information is provided in the "Examples of Citation" sheet available at the reference desk.

Restrictions on Use

The use of certain materials is restricted by statute, by the office of origin, or by the donor. For the protection of its collections, the Archives also reserves the right to restrict access to records which are not arranged, are being processed, or are exceptionally valuable or fragile. In some cases, copies may be substituted for originals.