Special Collections Policies

Reference and Research Services | Duplication | Interlibrary Loan

Reference and Research Services

• Using the Maryland Room
  • General guidelines for viewing materials in the Maryland Room
• Policy on the Use of Cameras and Scanners in the UM Libraries Special Collections Reading Rooms
  • Policy governing the use of personal cameras in UM Libraries Special Collections reading rooms
• Staff Assistance and Research Services
  • Long-distance research and reference services
• Course Description Requests
  • Special Collections provides access to digitized course catalogs for all course at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Maryland State College of Agriculture, and the Maryland Agricultural College.
  • Special Collection does not hold course descriptions for classes taken through University of Maryland University College. Please see the instructions for obtaining UMUC course descriptions for more information.

Note on Access to Materials

Special collections staff strive to make all materials available and accessible to researchers. However, access or duplication requests may be denied or delayed if immediate use would damage the materials, i.e., if they are too fragile or are oversized. The individual curator who has responsibility for the particular item or collection requested has the sole authority to determine whether a researcher may consult or have copies made of manuscripts, archives, rare books, maps, photographs, and audio-visual materials.

Duplication

General

• Duplication of Materials Policy
  • Policy governing requests for photocopies; photographic prints; digital reproduction; and duplication of audio, video and film recordings. Special restrictions exist for the duplication of books in the Libraries of Katherine Anne Porter and Djuna Barnes. Includes forms:
    • Use of Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books form
    • Duplication Form

Digitization

• Policy on Providing Digital Surrogates of Special Collections Holdings
  • Policy specifically addressing requests for digitized images from our collections. Includes forms:
    • Use of Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books form
    • Digitization Request Order Form

Interlibrary Loan

• Interlibrary Loan, Archives and Manuscripts
• Occasionally, microfilm of materials will be loaned to other special collections facilities, in order to facilitate long distance research. Includes forms:
  • Interlibrary Loan Request for Microfilm Form
  • Microfilm of Manuscripts and Archives, Interlibrary Loan Borrowing Institution Use Agreement Form
  • Microfilm of Manuscripts and Archives, Interlibrary Loan Researcher Use Agreement Form