New Readers: Registration with our Aeon Special Collections client is required in order to request collection materials or place digitization requests. Step-by-step instructions can be found on our Aeon instructions page.

Sign In and Out: Each day, readers and visitors must check in at the Reading Room desk upon arrival. Please let Reading Room staff know when you leave for the day. If it is your first time, and upon request, you must present a government issued photographic ID.

Personal Photography: Personal camera use is permitted and encouraged for research purposes. Please do not use flash or bring tripods into the Reading Room. Please do not photograph the Reading Room or other patrons without their permission. Please follow the Handling Clark Collections with Care guidelines below.

Food and Drink: Food and drink are not permitted in the library.

No Cell Phone Use: Cell phone use is not permitted in the Reading Room. Please silence all phones.

Respect Staff and Fellow Readers: We ask all library users to show consideration toward fellow visitors and library staff and to respect each other’s space and property. Our Reading Room is a quiet space. Please keep discussion to a minimum. The Clark’s smart classroom space is available for group consultation of rare materials. Anyone who does not follow these rules may be asked to leave.

Bag Checks: We are allowed to inspect all bags, books, notebooks, loose papers, closed laptops, and other items that you bring into and out of the library upon request.

Security: For the protection of the staff and materials video cameras are installed and in use 24 hours.

Using Collection Materials

Requesting Materials: You may retrieve reference books shelved in the Reading Room yourself. All other Clark collection materials must be requested through Aeon and will be retrieved by library staff. Step-by-step instructions can be found on our Aeon instructions page. Requests are fulfilled during Reading Room hours and may require additional time depending on the material requested and staff availability. Please ask Reading Room staff if you have any questions.

Using Materials: The library will accommodate your research needs as much as possible, but space and preservation considerations and the size and scope of materials require that readers view only what can safely be accommodated on their desks at a given time. Readers are asked to view one bound manuscript, up to two rare printed books, up to three modern scholarly books, or one box of archival material at one time. Please return materials to Reading Room staff when you are finished with them or let staff know if you would like to keep materials on reserve. Due to space considerations, readers may have no more than 10 items on reserve at a given time.

You Are Responsible for Requested Materials: You are responsible for any Clark materials issued to you until you return them to Reading Room staff. Do not share or exchange collection items with other readers. Instead, return the item to Reading Room staff so that it can be issued to the next reader.

Closing Procedures: The Reading Room is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Clark collection materials must be returned to Reading Room staff by 3:50 p.m. so that materials can be checked in and secured before the Reading Room closes.

Handling Clark Collections with Care

Many Clark Library materials are rare or unique while others are in fragile physical condition. By following these rules, you help to preserve our collections for future use.

Keep Hands Clean and Dry: Please wash and dry your hands before handling Clark materials.

Handling Collection Materials with Care: Never lean on, place face down, or lay objects atop collection materials. Avoid touching surfaces, as ink can chip or rub off and paper can weaken. Never write on or erase marks from Clark materials.

Keep Clark Materials in Plain View: All Clark materials must remain on tables and in plain view of Reading Room staff during use. Do not hold them up or place them in your lap.

Using Bound Volumes: Use book supports for all Clark bound volumes. Do not force open books with tight spines or stack open volumes. Reading Room staff can provide additional book supports and book snakes to lightly hold pages open. Staff will also notify you if bound volumes must be viewed no wider than certain angles, usually 90°. Notify Reading Room staff if you encounter uncut gatherings, and we may be able to open them.

Using Unbound Materials: Lay unbound materials on clean, flat surfaces. Keep archival items in existing order and inside the proper folder. If an item appears to be out of order, notify Reading Room staff; do not make the correction yourself.

Using Photographic Materials: The nature of photographic prints and negatives requires that you wear gloves while handling them. Reading Room staff can provide gloves. Keep all photographic materials in existing order and inside the proper folder, and do not remove photographs from Mylar sleeves.

Use Paper Place Markers Only: Mark your place with slips of paper available from Reading Room staff; do not use pencils, sticky notes, or other objects.

Taking Notes: Use only computers, pencils, and notepaper to take notes. Ink is not permitted. Any paper notes should be kept neatly on your desk and clear of collection materials.

Damaged Materials: Please notify Reading Room staff if you find any items in need of repair.