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Special Collections Research Account

First Time User Registration

Princeton University Library welcomes all researchers to use the Special Collections housed in the Harvey S. Firestone Library, Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, and Marquand Library of Art and Archaeology. We ask that all researchers register for a Special Collections Research Account and agree to the following user guidelines, regardless of whether they are viewing materials in physical or in digital format. This includes current students, staff and faculty with NetIDs as well as those not currently affiliated with Princeton University.
  • Members of the Princeton community (ie. current students, staff and faculty) can present their Tiger Cards at the front desk when conducting research in a Special Collections reading room.
  • Independent researchers (including alumni) using Special Collections materials are required to obtain a Special Collections ID Card (SCID) in the Access Office located in the main lobby of Firestone Library. There is no charge for the card, but it is a requirement for access to our reading rooms. The Access Office will request to see a valid photo ID, enter you into our collection management system, take your photograph, and then print your SCID card on-site for your use (the process should take no longer than 10 minutes).
  • Visitors to the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library who are researching over multiple days can order an SCID card at the Mudd front desk that will be delivered during their stay. Those visiting for one day can show their photo ID. All visitors to Mudd are also welcome to visit the Firestone Library Access Office to obtain the SCID in person.

Accessing the Collections

We ask that researchers read the following guidelines prior to using the collections. These guidelines are intended to ensure the safety and longevity of collection materials for future use.
  • Complete this user registration form,
  • Obtain an SCID card (please see "First Time User Registration" section above for more information),
  • Follow care and handling guidelines (please see the "Care & Handling" section below for more information),
  • Researchers may come across sensitive information in collections and agree to alert staff about the existence of these types of documents. They include, but are not limited to confidential, FERPA, HIPAA, or potentially classified government materials. Researchers are encouraged to speak to staff in person or utilize the Ask Us! form to convey this information.

Care & Handling

We ask that researchers abide by the care and handling guidelines found on our website, including those related to digital camera use in the reading room, intended to ensure the safety and longevity of collection materials for future use. Researchers are more than welcome to request further clarification or guidance from staff on any of the guidelines.

Digitization

Digitization guidelines can be found in detail on our website (Special Collections: Firestone & Mudd; Marquand Library). Researchers are more than welcome to request further clarification or guidance from staff on any of the guidelines.

Publication

Notice: Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, §108, United States Code) governs the making of copies of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a copy. One of these specified conditions is that the copy is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a copy for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order or refuse the use of a digital camera if, in its judgment, such use would involve a violation of copyright law. Further, the user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Princeton University Library, and the Trustees of Princeton University against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of the Library's facilities or materials.

Rights and Permissions

It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and for obtaining all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited.
While Princeton University Library owns the physical materials in its collections, we generally do not own the copyright to those materials. Some materials are in the public domain. However, certain images or materials may be protected by trademark, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other interests not owned or controlled by Princeton University.
Furthermore, not all items are eligible for digitization due to copyright, access restrictions, or conservation considerations. Please consult the "Access and Use" note of a collection's finding aid or contact Special Collections staff using our Ask Us! form for more information.
Detailed information on permissions, copyright & credit policies and practices for Special Collections can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citation page on our website.

Security

Please note, for protection of the materials, security devices such as CCTV, still cameras, and alarms are in use in the Firestone Special Collections reading room. Video records are maintained as long as is necessary.

Data Collection and Use

The Princeton University Library may retain, indefinitely, all data and information regarding researcher use of special collections items, including registration, circulation, duplication and publishing requests, as well as related correspondence. This information may be shared with third parties to address issues of legality, security, the administration of library collections, and other endeavors in support of the mission of Princeton University.
I agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and release Princeton University, its trustees, officers, administrators, faculty, staff, and other employees or agents against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses including attorney's fees, without limitation, incurred through the use of the Princeton University library and its material.
Continuing with your registration indicates your acknowledgement of having read the above guidelines and confirms your agreement to observe them. Please click the "Accept Rules and Regulations" button to continue.
For assistance with registration, please contact us via the Ask Us! form on our website.