Reference & Research Use Policies
Collections Use
The Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room is open to researchers Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All patrons are required to register and present a valid photo ID prior to using the collections. For their convenience, patrons may use our online Registration Form to register prior to visiting Special Collections & University Archives. The Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room is closed on major and university holidays.
Special Collections & University Archives reserves the right to decide what materials in the collection are available for use and reproduction, and what form that reproduction may take. Patrons who fail to abide by the Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room Policies may be denied access to Special Collections & University Archives materials and be subject to other penalties as well.
Due to their unique and sometimes fragile nature, Special Collections & University Archives materials do not circulate; they must be used in the Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room only. Food and Drink are not permitted in the Reading Room and only #2 pencils may be used for note taking. Cell phones need to be set to vibrate or turned off. All materials not needed for note taking must be checked-in upon registration. Laptops are permitted in the Reading Room, and the John C. Hitt Library does have laptops available for checkout at the Periodicals/AV desk located on the 3rd Floor of the Main Library.
Patrons must obtain permission from Special Collections & University Archives staff for the use of digital cameras and scanners in the Reading Room.
Appointments
Appointments are not necessary, but are encouraged. Please contact the department to request an appointment. By contacting us prior to your visit, Special Collections & University Archives staff can help you determine what collections are needed, have materials pulled and ready for your use, and explain any restrictions which may apply. Occasionally, the Reading Room is closed for Special Events and Staff Meetings. Evening and Weekend appointments are subject to staff availability.
Reference Requests
All reference requests must be made in writing. Patrons are asked to contact the department to submit their request. Telephone reference is limited to questions about Special Collections & University Archives holdings that can be answered in five minutes or less.
Research Requests
Please allow a minimum of 48 hours to 1 week response time, depending on method of submission for any requests that require Special Collections staff to conduct research, other than ready reference requests. Rush requests can be made for a fee.
Individual Research Assistance
To assist students with class projects and specialized research, we are happy to hold individual research consultations with both undergraduate and graduate students. To schedule an Individual Research Consultation, please contact our department.
Photocopying
Materials in Special Collections & University Archives may be protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs reproduction, distribution, public display and certain other uses of protected works. Any and all responsibility for questions of copyright and/or other legal questions which may arise from facsimile reproduction of materials from the collections, or from the use of such reproductions, will be assumed by the user. Please see our copyright notice and the UCF Libraries’ copyright policy for more information.
By providing photocopies, photo reproductions, digital images and electronic copies, Special Collections & University Archives does NOT convey the right to publish or reproduce Special Collections & University Archives materials. Permission to Publish must be obtained from the UCF Libraries Special Collections & University Archives in writing. Photocopies may not be reduplicated or deposited elsewhere without the prior written consent of the Head of Special Collections & University Archives.
Photocopies are made by Special Collections & University Archives staff only, as time permits. No photocopy requests may be placed within 15 minutes of closing. To protect bound volumes, staff will only copy one page per copy.
Patrons are charged $0.10 per copy. Change can not be provided. Non-UCF patrons can obtain a visitor smart card from two dispensers located in John C. Hitt Library. A visitor card costs $1.00 and patrons can load using debit card, credit card or paper bill.
Photo Duplication/Digital Imaging
Photo duplication and digital imaging are available. Click here for a price listing or contact the department for more information.