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Visiting The Bancroft Library

Helpful hints for planning a visit to The Bancroft Library

Reading Room Conditions of Use

The Bancroft Library’s Heller Reading Room (photo below) is available to all registered researchers using our collections. Since many of the materials are unique or rare, and some are in fragile condition, we expect researchers to follow our Conditions of Use.

  1. The Reading Room is reserved for the active use of Bancroft materials only. These materials are non-circulating (i.e. cannot be checked out).
  2. Researchers may bring a cell phone, laptop, tablet, one notebook or one pad of paper (without loose sheets or pockets) and/or up to five sheets of loose paper. 
  3. Personal belongings -- including coats, bags/purses, and umbrellas -- must be stored in Bancroft's lockers which are operated by a refundable quarter.
  4. If you need to bring personal research materials (books/photographs/etc.) into the Reading Room, please request a personal property pass at the Security Desk.
  5. All personal items taken out of the Reading Room must be presented for inspection at the Registration Desk and the Security Desk upon departure. This includes opening laptop computers.
  6. No eating, drinking, chewing gum, or smoking in The Bancroft Library. Cell phone calls may be taken outside the Reading Room.
  7. Only pencils in the Reading Room. No ink.
  8. Please handle all Bancroft materials with care and follow staff instructions.
  9. Researchers must abide by the Library Code of Conduct.

Please review our complete Conditions of Use before visiting.

 

View of Bancroft Reading Room

Image of The Bancroft Library's Reading Room by Peter Hanff.

Guidance on Handling Collection Materials

We encourage you to watch these videos prior to your visit as they offer some useful guidance on handling our collections:

Books: https://youtu.be/9ghthyAF7Lo

Documents: https://youtu.be/Qb6PDtlDtJI

Negatives: https://youtu.be/T7GgoGEo31I

 

Due to preservation and handling concerns, you will only be allowed to listen to /watch viewing copies of audiovisual materials in archival collections and individually cataloged commercial CDs and DVDs using library-provided equipment. If you would like to view an original AV item, you can submit a request asking us to create a viewing copy.