Public Services in Special Collections · 89
Pennsylvania State University
to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user
makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of
“fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the
right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would
involve violation of copyright law.
Handling Collections
Special Formats
Photographs
Patrons are required to use gloves when viewing photographs. Photos must not be bent or
folded. Photos being scanned or photocopied must be laid flat on the scanning or copying
bed.
Oversized Materials
Patrons must ask for permission to duplicate oversized materials, which includes oversized
photographs, maps, building plans, architectural drawings, and posters. In most cases, staff
members will make duplicate copies for a fee. If the patron is allowed to make copies on
their own, the following procedures must be followed. The lids of photocopiers and the
scanner must not close down on the materials in order not to damage them. A second
person must assist by holding the part of the oversized item that extends beyond the
photocopier or scanner bed.
Audio-Visual Materials
Staff members should show patrons how to use the audio-visual equipment for the
particular format that the patron is viewing. Patrons must rewind the videotape(s) after the
have completed viewing the tape(s). All audio-visual materials must be placed in their
containers before returning them to a staff member.
Rare Books
Instructions to Patrons
Please handle our materials with care, and leave them in the same order and condition in
which they were provided.
Make no marks on materials, and make no tracings of maps or drawings.
Use a pencil to take notes accidents with pens can make permanent
stains.
Never fold or otherwise disturb the physical state of the materials.
Do not apply pressure to the spine or fold back pages of books. Keep
elbows and heavy objects off the books and manuscripts. Please use
props and weights for books, particularly if the books are oversized or if
they do not open fully or are in fragile condition.
Do not stack open books on top of each other, prop them in precarious
positions that might damage fragile bindings, or write notes with paper
resting on top of materials.
Try not to touch or handle pages more than necessary acids and oils in
your skin can damage paper and photographs. Handle loose sheets or
book pages by the edge. Gloves are available for examining especially
vulnerable items.
Wear gloves at all times when handling unsleeved photographs.
Do not apply Post-It Notes, which contain adhesives, on any materials.
If your work requires close examination of the stitching or paper or a
watermark, please ask a staff member for assistance.
If you need magnifying glasses, rulers, or weights and props, please ask
for them.
If you require photocopies or scans, please consult with a staff member
patrons may not personally copy materials. Photocopying is permitted only
if items will not be harmed by the copying process.
Instructions for Staff
When paging rare books, please give patrons a green Rare Books and Manuscripts
Pennsylvania State University
to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user
makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of
“fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the
right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would
involve violation of copyright law.
Handling Collections
Special Formats
Photographs
Patrons are required to use gloves when viewing photographs. Photos must not be bent or
folded. Photos being scanned or photocopied must be laid flat on the scanning or copying
bed.
Oversized Materials
Patrons must ask for permission to duplicate oversized materials, which includes oversized
photographs, maps, building plans, architectural drawings, and posters. In most cases, staff
members will make duplicate copies for a fee. If the patron is allowed to make copies on
their own, the following procedures must be followed. The lids of photocopiers and the
scanner must not close down on the materials in order not to damage them. A second
person must assist by holding the part of the oversized item that extends beyond the
photocopier or scanner bed.
Audio-Visual Materials
Staff members should show patrons how to use the audio-visual equipment for the
particular format that the patron is viewing. Patrons must rewind the videotape(s) after the
have completed viewing the tape(s). All audio-visual materials must be placed in their
containers before returning them to a staff member.
Rare Books
Instructions to Patrons
Please handle our materials with care, and leave them in the same order and condition in
which they were provided.
Make no marks on materials, and make no tracings of maps or drawings.
Use a pencil to take notes accidents with pens can make permanent
stains.
Never fold or otherwise disturb the physical state of the materials.
Do not apply pressure to the spine or fold back pages of books. Keep
elbows and heavy objects off the books and manuscripts. Please use
props and weights for books, particularly if the books are oversized or if
they do not open fully or are in fragile condition.
Do not stack open books on top of each other, prop them in precarious
positions that might damage fragile bindings, or write notes with paper
resting on top of materials.
Try not to touch or handle pages more than necessary acids and oils in
your skin can damage paper and photographs. Handle loose sheets or
book pages by the edge. Gloves are available for examining especially
vulnerable items.
Wear gloves at all times when handling unsleeved photographs.
Do not apply Post-It Notes, which contain adhesives, on any materials.
If your work requires close examination of the stitching or paper or a
watermark, please ask a staff member for assistance.
If you need magnifying glasses, rulers, or weights and props, please ask
for them.
If you require photocopies or scans, please consult with a staff member
patrons may not personally copy materials. Photocopying is permitted only
if items will not be harmed by the copying process.
Instructions for Staff
When paging rare books, please give patrons a green Rare Books and Manuscripts
