Rules for Use

The Department of Special Collections actively encourages and promotes the use of its collections. Materials are housed in a secure area where environmental conditions are carefully monitored to insure stable temperature and humidity for the preservation of the materials. Procedures for use are designed to assure proper handling of material consistent with the Department's commitment to preserving these collections for future generations.

Registration and Security Regulations

1. All materials are non-circulating and cannot be taken out of the Department. Stack areas are closed to the public.
   
   
2. Researchers and visitors are required to sign the registration book upon entering and leaving the room, and to state the purpose of their visit.
   
   
3. A K-State identification card, drivers's license, or other photographic identification, is to be left at the reference desk while using research materials.
   
   
4. Only items necessary for research are allowed in the reading room. Personal belongings, such as briefcases, purses, and coats, must be stored in the entry closet.
   
   

Use and Care of the Collection

5. Pencils only. Accidents occur, no matter how careful one is, therefore no pens are allowed.
   
   
6. A black and white photocopy machine is available. All copies will be made by staff. Copies cost ten cents each. Exact change required. A departmental requisition form is required to charge photocopying to a department.
   
   
7. NOTICE: Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions
   
   The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
   
   Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
   
   The institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
   
   
8. Please help us preserve the condition of the material by exercising the greatest possible care with fragile items.
   
   
9. If you receive a book with uncut pages, please bring it to the attention of the staff.
   
   
10. Please leave unbound items, such as manuscripts and photographs, in the order in which they were delivered. If they appear to be out of order, please inform the staff member on duty.
    
    
11. Leave materials on the table when you are finished. Remember to get your ID and belongings from the closet.
    
    
12. If you plan on returning in the near future to use the same materials, arrangements can be made to have it held for you.
    
    

Research Room Etiquette

13. Food, drinks, radio/cassette/cd players, and tobacco products are not permitted in the reading room.
    
    
14. PCs may be used if their operation is quiet. Use of other items, such as typewriters, tape recorders, scanners, or cameras, must be approved by the staff.
    
    
15. As a courtesy to other researchers, the use of cell phones is prohibited in the reading room.
    
    

Crediting Information

16. Depending on the location of the material used, please credit either Rare Books or University Archives and Manuscripts, Richard L. D. and Marjorie J. Morse Department of Special Collections, when quoting or using information from the holdings. If items are used from both collections, please credit the full name of the Department. A donation of any publication involving the use of the collections would be greatly appreciated.
    
    

	Last Modified: 08 Feb 2006 Maintained by: Cindy Von Elling Send comments, questions and suggestions to: Richard L. D. & Marjorie J. Morse Dept. of Special Collections, K-State Libraries.
Information presented for research or promotional purposes and may be reproduced without permission provided proper credit is given. All photographs, unless otherwise stated, are the property of Morse Dept. of Special Collections and may not be used without prior written permission from the Archivist.