RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF MATERIALS

  • Researchers are required to sign a registration form and provide positive identification.
  • Books, briefcases, bookbags, coats and other personal property not essential to research projects must be placed in a designated area.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the University Archives.
  • Stack areas of the University Archives are closed to patrons; the Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement staff will retrieve all materials. Materials are to be used only in the Archives research area under the supervision of the Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement staff.
  • Due to the risk of inadvertent damage to documents when ink is used, Archives patrons must use pencil or laptop computers to take notes. Pencils will be provided upon request. The use of scanners is prohibited.
  • University Archives materials must be handled with care. Researchers must not lean on materials, or trace, write on, tear or fold records or handle them in any way likely to damage them.
  • Researchers may only have one container of archival materials at the research table at a time. Please use one folder of materials at a time. Records must be kept in their present arrangement; loose pages will stay in order if turned like pages in a book. Please notify the Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement staff if any items appear to be misfiled, mislabeled or missing.
  • When handling photographs, patrons may be asked to wear white cotton gloves provided by the Archives.
  • Photocopying is permitted, if it is in accordance with donor agreements and copyright restrictions, unless the item is fragile, exceptionally valuable, or too large. The Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement staff reserve the right to assist with or actually carry out photocopying as necessary. Copies of entire record groups are not made.
  • The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/index.html) 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 use. These may not be further reproduced, published, broadcast, displayed, offered for sale, transferred to another individual or deposited in another institution without written permission from the Villanova University Archives and/or the copyright holder. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, which involved in his/her use of manuscripts and other materials.
  • Citations should follow this format: Identification of item, Name of Collection. Villanova University Archives, Villanova University.  Any publication of materials of the Archives must credit Villanova University Archives.
  • The user agrees to give the University Archives a complimentary copy of any publication, video production, or other work relying heavily on its collections.