Houghton Library
What do I bring into the Reading Room?
For the safety and security of the collections, we must limit what can be brought into the room. Please consider carefully what minimum amount of material is essential to your research. Thank you.
Required
- Two forms of ID are required for new readers
Provided
- Pencils and paper
Encouraged
- Laptops
Allowed when necessary
- Note cards
- Notebooks: If you must bring a bound notebook, tablet, or 3-ring binder (only one), it cannot contain any loose material and all pockets must be empty.
- Personal papers: If a small amount of loose paper is essential to your research, it must fit within the ½-inch case at the guard’s desk and must be stamped by Reading Room staff once you enter the room.
- Personal books: No more than two allowed; each must be clearly a modern book with its owner’s signature in it or a library book with current check-out stamp. For other books, a Personal Book Form will be provided and approved by the Guard.
Exceptions
- Any exceptions will have to be approved by the Reading Room staff.
Arranging for staff review will cause some delay.
Items not allowed in the Reading Room include:
| Containers of any kind (parcels, bags, knapsacks, purses, laptop bags, etc.) | |
| Folders of any kind | Envelopes |
| Pens | Pen/Pencil cases |
| Wallets (unless they stay in your pocket) | Glasses cases |
| Newspapers | Plastic page holders |
| Scissors or other cutting implements | |
| Outerwear (jackets, coats, etc.) Sport coats, suit jackets or sweaters are allowed only if they are worn and may be searched upon leaving. If they are taken off, they must be hung in the closet or placed in the lockers. | |
All materials will be searched upon leaving the Room
10/9/07
