Rules and Regulations

1. ADMITTANCE. Use of the Manuscript Reading Room is limited to readers age 16 and above who have a specific need for access to the collections of the Manuscript Division and associated materials. Readers shall refrain from disruptive behavior; personal conduct is subject to Library of Congress regulations (LCR 8-120 S6). Readers should be aware that surveillance cameras are recording all activity in the Manuscript Reading Room.
2. REGISTRATION. Readers must present a verified Library of Congress Reader Identification Card. First-time users must complete a registration card at the reference desk.
3. PERSONAL PROPERTY. No personal belongings, including briefcases, notebooks, books, folders, envelopes, or purses are allowed in the reading room. Outer garments, including hats, vests, sweaters with pockets, coats, suit coats, and sports jackets, are subject to search. Free lockers are provided to secure personal property. Locker keys must be returned at the end of the day.
   • Exceptions may be requested for notes or other material essential to research. These items must be approved and stamped by reference staff before being brought into the reading room.
   • Paper, note cards, and pencils are provided for taking notes. Pens are prohibited.
   • Laptop computers, tablets, and cameras are allowed; tripods may be used subject to staff approval. Personal scanners and supplemental lighting are prohibited.
   • All electronic devices, such as phones and cameras, must be silenced. Phones can be used for silent communication only.
   • Photography is allowed only for reference reproductions of collection material. No photographs of individuals or of the Reading Room itself are permitted.
4. ALL CONTAINERS MUST STAY ON CARTS. Only one container at a time may be opened and only one folder at a time may be withdrawn from a box. Placeholders are provided to mark where folders should be re-filed. The existing arrangement of manuscripts within each folder must be preserved. Report any serious disarrangement to the reference staff.
5. REPRODUCTIONS.
   • Unless otherwise instructed, readers may photograph collection items at their tables, without flash.
   • Readers must bring all manuscripts to the desk for examination and approval by reference staff before scanning or photocopying.
   • Only one folder at a time may be withdrawn for reproduction.
   • Bound manuscript material may not be photocopied.
   • Reasons for not allowing copying include 1) donor or library-imposed restrictions, 2) fragile condition, 3) restrictions imposed by other repositories, 4) national security classifications.
6. SURROGATE EDITIONS. To promote preservation of original manuscripts, readers are required to consult surrogate editions as available.
7. HELP SAVE THE NATIONAL COLLECTIONS. Exercise the greatest possible care in handling manuscripts. Do not make marks on manuscripts, do not write notes on top of manuscripts, do not rest books or other objects on top of manuscripts. Handle loose sheets or bound pages by their edges; avoid touching the surface as much as possible; do not remove manuscripts from protective housing. Reference staff can furnish gloves for handling photographs and other vulnerable items.
8. COPYRIGHT. The status of copyright in the unpublished writings in the custody of the Manuscript Division is governed by the Copyright Act (Title 17, USC). It is the obligation of the reader to fulfill the requirements of the Copyright Act. Since the Library of Congress ordinarily does not own the copyright in either published or unpublished manuscripts in its custody, it can neither grant nor deny permission to publish or quote in published form from manuscripts in its collections.
9. INSPECTION. All material that a reader wishes to remove from the reading room must be examined by the security officer or reading room staff. It is a violation of federal law punishable by fine and/or imprisonment to steal or willfully damage or destroy manuscripts, books or other Library property. See 18 USC 641; 18 USC 1361; 18 USC 2071; 22 DC Code 3306; and LCR 610 S 5, LCR 1812.
10. Researchers must follow all directions of the reference staff regarding the handling of manuscript material.