Access & Use
The Archives and Special Collections can be reached
by visiting the reading room, by mail, by phone, by fax or via the
Internet. Material that is open for research is available for use
in the Department reading room during regular hours. Researchers
are asked to register with the Department, provide positive identification
and agree to abide by the established "Terms of Access and
Use." Some material is stored at a remote location
and must be requested 24 hours in advance. A limited number of photocopies
may be made available for research use, for those researchers unable
to visit Amherst, as the materials' condition, access restrictions
and staffing permit. Researchers are asked to agree to abide
by the "Terms of Access and Use" which will be provided
to them. Material in the Archives and Special Collections is
not normally available through Inter-Library Loan.
Access and Use Policy
Any collection of unique material requires special handling. The
following policies and procedures are designed to provide researchers
with the greatest possible access to the materials in the Amherst
College Archives and Special Collections while at the same
time protecting and preserving those materials for future use.
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Registration
Anyone who registers, provides acceptable identification, and
abides by the policies and rules of the Archives and Special
Collections will be permitted to use unrestricted materials in the
collection. Each reader must complete a registration card on the
first visit in each fiscal year. In addition, readers must show
a photographic identification card to the staff member on duty and
register in the registration book. TOP
Terms of Access and Restrictions
Access to materials may be restricted by condition of gift or deposit;
out of regard for the rights of individuals; because of their physical
condition; or for other reasons. Manuscript material is unique and
irreplaceable, and no use may be made of it that might jeopardize
its preservation. In certain cases, readers may be required to consult
microfilm or other copies of manuscripts, rather than originals.
Readers may take only pencils, note cards, paper, and other approved
writing materials into the reading areas. Coats, briefcases, books,
and other personal possessions must be checked at the desk and are
subject to inspection upon leaving. Materials may be used only in
the reading room, during regular hours, and must be returned to
the desk whenever the reader leaves the room. Please notify the
staff if you wish to have materials held for your use on a subsequent
day. TOP
Physical Protection of
Materials
The reader is responsible for safeguarding all materials made available
for use. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted. Only approved
writing materials may be used for taking notes while using material
from the collection. "Flags" or mark ers are available
for indicating material to be copied. Other methods of marking must
not be used. Materials may not be leaned on, written on, folded,
traced, or handled in any way likely to damage them. Readers must
keep papers in their folders, maintaining the order in which they
are arranged and handling them as little as possible. A staff member
should be notified if papers are found to be out of order. A staff
member should also be shown any torn or very fragile materials that
might be in need of repair. During use, folders must be kept flat
on the table. Books must be used on the table, properly supported
if necessary. Readers may be asked to wear special gloves when handling
certain materials, such as photographs. TOP
Copyright and Other Laws
Use of manuscripts and published materials is subject to provisions
of the copyright law. Laws against libel and invasion of privacy
may also apply. Readers assume full responsibility for any legal
questions that may arise as the result of their use of materials
in the collections. TOP
Permission to Publish
Permission to examine materials, or to obtain copies, does not imply
the right to publish them, in whole or in part. A separate written
request for permission to publish must be made to the Archivist
or to the Curator of Special Collections, as approp riate. Permission
must also be obtained from the author or anyone else who holds copyright
or other publication rights. TOP
Reproduction
If photocopying or other reproduction can be done without injury
to the materials and does not violate copyright or other restrictions,
a single copy of any item will ordinarily be made for the researcher's
personal use, upon written request and payment of the appropriate
fees. Such copies
may not be later duplicated, nor may they be transferred to or deposited
with another person or institution without written permission from
the Amherst College Archives or Special Collections. For some
collections, the researcher may be required to return copies after
use. "Flags" or markers are available for indicating material
to be copied. No other method of marking materials for copying may
be used. Because staff and facilities are limited, it will not always
be possible to provide copying service immediately, especially if
large numbers of copies are requested. Orders will be taken for
later pick-up or mail delivery. TOP
Citation
The location and description of manuscript or archival materials
referred to or quoted in papers (published or unpublished) should
be cited accurately and completely. The following sample citations
illustrate the information to be included:
Manuscript materials: Allen Tate to Louise Bogan,
10 January 1965, in Louise Bogan Papers (Box IV, Folder 1), Archives
and Special Collections, Amherst College Library.
Archival materials: Theodore Baird, Working papers
for assignment development and class meetings, 1943-1945, in English
Department Records: English 1-2 (Box 1, Folder 43), Archives and
Special Collections, Amherst College Library. Researchers are
encouraged to provide a free copy of any publication in which
Archives or Special Collections material is referred to or quoted.
Confidentiality of
Research
Information about researchers' work in the Archives and Special
Collections, including their topics and the materials used, will
be kept strictly confidential. TOP
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© 2001, Amherst College, Amherst, MA, 01002-5000.
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