Reading Room Policies
We welcome all students, faculty, scholars and members of the general public to use our reading room to consult the holdings of the Herskovits Library.
Patrons are required to show a current valid photo ID upon arrival at the University (Main) Library or Deering Library Welcome Desk. The Herskovits Library Rare Materials Reading Room is on Level 5 of University Library. Research appointments are required for non-Northwestern researchers and strongly encouraged for Northwestern students, faculty and staff.
Please email africana@northwestern.edu or read more to plan your visit.
Use of Materials
Patrons must request access to materials through the Special Collections and Archives Request System; a user account is required.
Delivery of materials for same-day use is not guaranteed. Some materials are held off-site and require 48-hours’ advanced notice for access.
All materials should be returned to the service desk no later than 4:30 pm.
Herskovits Library staff will pull a maximum of 15 boxes per patron request. Patrons will be assigned a seat at a research table where there materials will be delivered to them. Patrons can retrieve reference items from the shelves but must return them to service desk when finished.
To help preserve materials, patrons must:
- Set rare books on supports.
- Take only one folder out of the box at a time.
- Maintain the order of the folders in the box and the order of items within folders.
- Avoid writing on or erasing of materials.
- Avoid setting other objects on materials.
- Use gloves when handling non-sleeved photographs, negatives, cased images and artifacts. Gloves are not necessary for other paper materials.
Holds
Materials can be placed on hold for up to 10 business days (2 weeks).
Personal Items
Pencils, silenced electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.), books, notebooks and loose paper are permitted at the reference tables for note taking.
Other personal items (such as pens, computer cases, bags, food, drinks) can be stored in available lockers.
Patron Privacy Disclosures
Some patron data (including but not limited to the information provided by patrons in research requests, and registration forms) may be retained and accessed at the discretion of the Herskovits Library staff for administrative and security purposes. Northwestern University Libraries does not sell or otherwise distribute personally identifiable patron data except where required by law.
Reproductions
Patrons are welcome to use cameras or cell phones to take photographs of non-restricted materials for research purposes or patrons may use the self-service scanner.
At no charge, the Herskovits staff can scan up to 50 pages or spend up to 30 minutes' scan time (whichever comes first) of paper-based materials per research request. Anything beyond that amount is addressed on a case-by-case basis. Turnaround time will vary based on available resources. Patrons can contact the Herskovits Library staff if they are interested in reproductions of audio-visual or born-digital materials.
Staff reserves the right to limit the number of scans based on physical condition of material or available staff resources. Submit your request using our online request form or email africana@northwestern.edu
Copyright
Permission to consult materials does not convey the right to reproduce or publish. Materials digitized, photographed, scanned, or otherwise reproduced are for use by patrons for research, teaching and private study. Unauthorized distribution or commercial use of reproductions is not permitted. Responsibility for copyright clearance is assumed by the patron.
The patron assumes sole responsibility for and agrees to defend and indemnify Northwestern University and its Board of Trustees, officers, employers and agents for all claims, demands, costs, or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any infringement of the literary rights, copyrights, or other rights pertaining to this materials.
See Northwestern University Libraries’ full Rights, Permissions and Reproductions Policies
Building Use Policy
Patrons are expected to observe all policies for conduct in the libraries' buildings.