Using Special Collections
Handling Materials
All items must be handled with care and should be rested on the table, or in a book cradle or on foams, at all times. All material must remain on the table, and never in the researcher’s lap, on the floor, on a chair, or other locations off the reading table. Staff will assist and may direct researchers in the proper handling of materials. Researchers may also request assistance in handling any special collection materials.
For general guidance on the use of primary sources in a special collections reading room visit the Guide to Using Special Colletions libguide.
A video on using the reading room and handling materials in special collections.
Citing Collections
Proper citations are a requirement of research.
For information on how to cite primary sources, see style manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), or consult with a librarian.
- Citation guidelines for special collections
- Citation management tools
For additional guidelines on citing your sources, take a look at how your secondary literature cites sources that are similar to the sources you are using.
Copyright and Permissions
Yale University Library provides access to special collection materials for research and education purposes only. The university will grant permission to publish only when Yale University is the copyright holder. Copyright informaiton is provided on finding aids, catalog records, and associated documents. It is the responsibility of the researcher to assess and obtain any permission related of copyright.
For more information please visit the Guide to Using Special Collections libguide for copyright and permissions for special colletions, galleries, and musuems, or the Yale University Library copyright libguide for general copyright use.