You are here

Reading Room Guidelines

You are welcome to research in the Special Collections Reading Rooms in Firestone and Mudd Libraries without an appointment. We ask that researchers abide by the following guidelines intended to ensure the safety and longevity of collection materials for future use. Researchers are more than welcome to request further clarification or guidance from staff on any of the guidelines.

  1. Register first: Visitors will need to register for a Special Collections Research Account before accessing collection material.  

  2. Obtain a Special Collections ID Card (non-Princeton): All researchers can check in at a desk upon arrival at the libraries. At Firestone, this is the Access Desk located to the left of the turnstiles in the lobby. At Mudd Library, this is the front desk just inside the building. Princeton researchers will be asked to show their Tiger Card. Non-Princeton researchers will be asked to show a photo ID such as a driver's license or academic/work ID when they arrive. At Firestone, researchers will then be issued an ID Card which will make it easy upon subsequent visits to enter the library's turnstiles. For Mudd Library, while it is not required, we do recommend making your way to Firestone Library to obtain an ID Card as it will ease future visits. Should you not obtain an ID Card, you would need to show your photo ID at each visit to Mudd Library. If you would like to have the ID Card made in advance of your visit so it is ready when you arrive, you can fill out a Special Collections ID Card Application online. 

  1. What to bring: Researchers are welcome to bring pencils, laptops, tablets, phones, and cameras to assist them in their research. Please silence all digital devices and leave cases in your locker. We offer a number of supplies that may help you in your research including pencils, note paper, magnifying glasses, a light box, tape measures, and rulers. If you need to bring a book in with you, please check in with a staff member upon your arrival.

  1. Use a locker: Personal belongings that are non-essential to research should be stored in one of our free, on-site lockers. Belongings include coats, hats, bags, pens, notebook paper, laptop cases, and the like.

  1. Care and handling: Use one box at a time, and one folder at a time. Keep materials in their original order and flat on the table. Use two hands to handle all folders, manuscripts, photographs, prints, objects and brittle paper. Support materials by resting manuscripts directly on the table or by using foam wedges for bound materials. Open books and other objects only as far as they will open without force. Approved weights are available to keep materials open or flat. If you believe materials are out of order, please ask for assistance from staff. Staff will assist in providing support for materials when needed.

  1. Clean, dry, gloveless hands are best: Please only use nitrile gloves when handling photographs, glass plates, slides and metal objects, otherwise, gloves are not necessary. Please keep photographs in their mylar coverings, and use gloves if photographs are not in mylar coverings.

  1. Do no harm: Avoid marking, leaning on, altering, folding, tracing, or defacing materials.

  1. Photos and digitization: Researchers are welcome to take photographs, or request digitization of most materials, please see the Digital Camera Usage page and the Digitization & Publication Services page for more information.

  2. Checking out: When finished with your materials, please leave them at your station and alert staff. Prior to leaving, we will ask to check the personal belongings that were inside of the reading room for collection content.