1. The books and manuscripts in Special Collections are available for research use, subject to the following rules:

1. Material from these collections does not circulate and must be consulted in the Reading Room, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2. Briefcases, coats, and all items not required for research must be left in the reception area closet before entering the Reading Room.
3. Readers must complete a registration form on their first visit.
4. Readers must sign the register daily and present valid photo-identification.
5. Books must be requested on the "Printed Materials Request" form. Readers who wish to use manuscript materials must consult a librarian and complete an "Application for Permission to Use Manuscripts."
6. Readers are permitted to use one book at a time. Exceptions may be made by the person on duty if appropriate. (Examples: readers using multi-volume sets or working on textual comparisons).
7. All inquiries concerning photocopying must be referred to a librarian.
8. Special Collections material must be handled with great care. USE PENCIL ONLY. Do not make any marks on the materials, and do not open uncut pages. No books, papers, or other objects (except the special weights available to hold books open) may be laid on the materials.
9. When using manuscripts material, do not disturb the arrangement of papers or folders.
10. When you have finished using material, please return it to the desk and wait until the material has been checked in. Please inform the person on duty whether you will be using it again during the next week.

Rules Governing Use of Manuscripts

The manuscript collections of the University of Delaware Library are available for research use by students, faculty, and visiting scholars. All manuscript users must complete an application form, provide valid photo-identification (institutional ID, driver's license), and sign the register daily. Special permission may be required for access to restricted collections. All material must be used in the Special Collections reading room, in accordance with the general Special Collections Regulations. The University of Delaware Library reserves the right to limit the amount of material issued to a reader at any one time.

Locating Manuscripts

Researchers can locate manuscripts through a variety of finding aids including a card catalog index, manuscript accession sheets, and separate indexes, calendars, and inventories to individual collections. Selected collections have also been cataloged into DELCAT, the University of Delaware Library's online catalog. Readers should consult a Special Collections librarian for assistance in locating manuscripts.

Photocopying Manuscripts

The University of Delaware Library will permit a reasonable amount of photocopying from its manuscript holdings, but reserves the right to restrict copying from any of its collections and to deny requests for copies. Photocopies are for reference use only and may not be transferred to any other person or institution without specific permission of the University of Delaware Library. A librarian must approve all photocopy requests.

Permission to Publish Manuscripts

Permission to consult or reproduce manuscripts does not constitute authorization to publish them. Permission to publish manuscript materials in the University of Delaware Library must be obtained in writing from a Special Collections librarian. The letter of application should specify the materials to be reproduced and the publication in which they will be used. Permission is granted insofar as the University is the owner of property rights and does not include literary rights, which must be obtained by the researcher or publisher from the author, or the author's heirs, estate, or literary executor.