OSU Archives & Maps: Reference Room Policies

We welcome all researchers to the University Archives, regardless of their affiliation with Oregon State University. However, due to the rare or unique nature of the materials held in our collections, we have rules and regulations which are more stringent than those of the library in general.

All patrons are required to fill out a registration form and provide picture identification. This completed form will be kept on file through June 30, 2008. If/when you return to the Archives please let the desk staff that you have completed this form and it will be retrieved.
For each visit, you must sign the "Reference Room Visitor Log" when entering and leaving the Reference Room.
Materials cannot be checked out and can only be used in the Reference Room. Since all stack areas are closed to patrons, all archival materials will be retrieved by the Archives staff.
Please plan ahead: some collections are stored off-site and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. And please watch the clock: we cannot retrieve on-site materials within 30 minutes of closing.
While using our materials, you may have only paper, pencil, or a laptop computer with you. No pens are permitted. All coats, briefcases, book bags, and other personal property must be placed in the lockers at the Reference Room entrance. A key will be issued for your use. We are not responsible for the security of your personal property.
To protect our fragile materials, tobacco, drinks, and snacks are not allowed in the Reference Room.
You may request multiple boxes or items, but we ask that you use only one at a time. Please notify us when you are ready for the next box, and allow us to do all the transporting; this reduces your risk and allows our staff to monitor materials at all times.
Because it is very important that items retain their order within a box/folder, when you find something you are interested in, please use an out card to mark its location. Remove only one item at a time.
Please handle all materials as if they were ancient and fragile. Turn pages gently and lay your pencil down while you are handling the materials. When taking notes, please make sure your paper is on the table, and not atop our materials. You may be asked to wear gloves while handling photographs or very old items. Also, please do not use adhesive post-it notes. Although they are handy to mark your place, they can harm materials; we will provide you with plenty of paper.
Permission to photocopy is handled on an item-by-item basis. For most materials, photocopying is permitted; however, donor agreements, copyright restrictions, condition, value, and size may limit item duplication. Use of the self-serve copier for photocopying archival materials must be approved by the Archives staff.
The use of audio and video recording equipment, digital cameras, and personal scanners will be allowed when possible; however, the use of hand-held and sheet-feed scanners is prohibited.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies and other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, copies may be provided for individual researchers' private study. However, copies are provided for personal use only and may not be further reproduced, published, broadcast, displayed, offered for sale, transferred to another individual, or deposited in another institution without written permission from Oregon State University Archives and/or the copyright holder.
While you are in the Reference Room, please use the mute or vibrate function on your cell phones.
Wireless access is available to non-library patrons for a fee (see http://oregonstate.edu/net/network/wireless/ for more information).