Guidelines for use of rare books, archives, manuscripts, and photographs in the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University

The Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies maintains and provides access to unique collections of rare books, archives, manuscripts and photographs. We welcome use of these resources by faculty, students and staff of Northwestern University and by visiting researchers regardless of affiliation. These resources are available Monday through Friday, 8.30 a.m. through 5 p.m. Advance appointments, especially for those not affiliated with Northwestern University and traveling to Evanston to carry out research, are strongly encouraged. Since the holdings are rare and unique, researchers are expected to be very careful to avoid loss or damage to any materials.

Please follow the policies outlined below when you use rare Herskovits Library materials:

• All researchers must complete a registration card prior to use.

• All materials are delivered to researchers at an assigned study carrel where they must be used; upon receipt of requested materials researchers are required to submit a personal identification card which will be returned when the research is completed.

• Photocopying of printed and manuscript materials may be permitted. Consult with Herskovits Library staff for further information. Photocopying of photographs is not permitted.

• Limited digital scans of photographs are made upon request to the University Library’s Digital Media Services Department. These requests are made through Herskovits Library staff. Copies will be produced in approximately one week after the request is made. Delivery of copies may be via a website or on CD-ROM.

• Manuscript and archival materials circulate one box or folder at a time. Photograph albums/collections circulate one volume/collection at a time. Multiple printed volumes, depending on size and condition, may be used at the same time.

• Gloves must be worn when using photograph collections. Gloves may be required for other collections.

• All materials must remain flat on the surface of the study carrel.

• All written notes are to be taken with pencils. Laptop computers for note taking are permitted. Marking of any sort in materials is prohibited. Acid-free paper strips will be provided to any researcher wishing to mark places in an album, book or folder.

• The exact arrangement of unbound materials must be maintained.

• Loose photograph collections will be counted in the presence of the requesting researcher prior to and following use.

• Permission to consult materials does not convey the right to reproduce or publish. Researchers are permitted to quote, cite or refer to materials in accordance with the United States copyright law. However, more extensive quotation, copying for research purposes, or the reproduction and publishing of materials are governed by the copyright law, donor agreements and library policy. For more information, consult the library's “rights, permissions and reproductions policies” page.