98 · SPEC Kit 296
University of Washington
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF COLLECTIONS
If there is no restriction stated in the Millennium record, assume the
papers are open to all users.
Serious Researchers
In some collections the restrictions section of the Millennium record indicates
serious research use only. Serious researchers are researchers who have done
appropriate background reading/research in their area of interest, have in-depth
knowledge of the topic they are researching, and who can provide proper
identification. Serious researchers are not defined by academic level or
academic affiliation, but by their preparation and knowledge of their topic.
Adequate background reading/research includes knowledge of and reading in
secondary sources or research in other primary sources, such as newspaper
research on the topic, interviews, or oral histories. To be considered prepared, a
researcher should have done enough reading that they are familiar with the key
people/organizations/events surrounding their research topic, and will understand
the significance of the content of the collections they will be using. Generally,
this means a researcher should have consulted and be familiar with at least two
sources. Any researcher, including undergraduates or the general public, who
has done this preparation may access the papers.
On some occasions users may be considered serious researchers with a
different kind of background knowledge of the research topic. These users have
researched their topic, and discovered that there are few or no secondary source
materials. Some users that meet this criteria would include a person researching
a building for nomination to the historic register, someone with knowledge of the
topic who is not actually a researcher e.g. a miner looking at mining papers, a
genealogist, or a representative of a law firm preparing for litigation who has
established through legal and other research the relevance of the material to the
case and can justify the need to see restricted papers. Other users who may not
meet the definition of serious researcher who would be able to access the papers
would include the donor of the papers, or a direct descendent of the donor.
Individuals who do not meet the qualification as a serious researcher include
those who do not have a research topic, or obviously have done no background
research. A student simply assigned to see a “primary resource” should be
directed to collections that do not fall under the serious researcher restriction.
In situations when there is doubt about whether or not a researcher qualifies as
serious and should be allowed access, refer that user to the University Archivist,
the Pacific Northwest or Visual Materials Curator, or the Head of the Division, as
appropriate.
If access is denied a researcher, the reason access is denied must be noted and
initialed on the Project Description next to information about the accession to
which the access was denied.
Special Collections 4/2004 revision
University of Washington
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF COLLECTIONS
If there is no restriction stated in the Millennium record, assume the
papers are open to all users.
Serious Researchers
In some collections the restrictions section of the Millennium record indicates
serious research use only. Serious researchers are researchers who have done
appropriate background reading/research in their area of interest, have in-depth
knowledge of the topic they are researching, and who can provide proper
identification. Serious researchers are not defined by academic level or
academic affiliation, but by their preparation and knowledge of their topic.
Adequate background reading/research includes knowledge of and reading in
secondary sources or research in other primary sources, such as newspaper
research on the topic, interviews, or oral histories. To be considered prepared, a
researcher should have done enough reading that they are familiar with the key
people/organizations/events surrounding their research topic, and will understand
the significance of the content of the collections they will be using. Generally,
this means a researcher should have consulted and be familiar with at least two
sources. Any researcher, including undergraduates or the general public, who
has done this preparation may access the papers.
On some occasions users may be considered serious researchers with a
different kind of background knowledge of the research topic. These users have
researched their topic, and discovered that there are few or no secondary source
materials. Some users that meet this criteria would include a person researching
a building for nomination to the historic register, someone with knowledge of the
topic who is not actually a researcher e.g. a miner looking at mining papers, a
genealogist, or a representative of a law firm preparing for litigation who has
established through legal and other research the relevance of the material to the
case and can justify the need to see restricted papers. Other users who may not
meet the definition of serious researcher who would be able to access the papers
would include the donor of the papers, or a direct descendent of the donor.
Individuals who do not meet the qualification as a serious researcher include
those who do not have a research topic, or obviously have done no background
research. A student simply assigned to see a “primary resource” should be
directed to collections that do not fall under the serious researcher restriction.
In situations when there is doubt about whether or not a researcher qualifies as
serious and should be allowed access, refer that user to the University Archivist,
the Pacific Northwest or Visual Materials Curator, or the Head of the Division, as
appropriate.
If access is denied a researcher, the reason access is denied must be noted and
initialed on the Project Description next to information about the accession to
which the access was denied.
Special Collections 4/2004 revision
