Special collections respositories contain materials in a wide variety of formats, including books, manuscripts, documents, serials, broadsides, photographs, printed ephemera, and objects. These items are often one-of-a-kind.
To ensure their long-term preservation, please observe the following guidelines:
- Handle documents carefully.
- Read books in book cradles, if appropriate.
- Inform library staff when you encounter volumes with uncut pages.
- Keep folders of documents flat on the table.
- Do not hold documents up in the air to read them.
- Turn pages gently.
- Do not disturb the order of the documents.
- Use pencils to take notes.
- Do not eat or drink near special collections materials.
- Wash your hands before handling documents.
- Be sure to alert archives staff if you encounter damaged or extremely fragile material that may need special attention before it can be safely handled.
