Policies & Procedures

McDonogh School Archives & Special Collections (MSASC)

Welcome to the Wilson | Young Archives & Special Collections (WYASC) at McDonogh School. The following rules were developed using the guidelines established by the ALA/SAA Joint Statement on Access to Research Materials in Archives and Special Collections Libraries. Observing these rules will allow for more expedient research by the researcher, as well as help to ensure the preservation of the materials for other researchers.

• All archival materials are non-circulating and are to be used only in the Reading Room.
• Check all personal belongings (coats, purses, backpacks, briefcases, water bottles, etc.) in the space provided. Everything is to be checked. No exceptions, except for canes/crutches.
• No food, drinks, (including bottled water), candy, or gum is permitted in the Reading Room.
• Please silence cellphones while in the Reading Room, and please leave if you must speak on the phone, so as not to disturb other researchers. 
• Pencils only; pens are not permitted. Pencils are available at the reference desk.
• Only phones or small cameras are permitted without prior permission.
• Do not lean on, write on top of, or otherwise “manhandle” the material. Use a foam book cradle for rare, and/or distressed books if needed.
• Researchers are allowed one manuscript box at a time.  Please remove only one folder at a time, do not mix materials from different folders, and preserve the original order of all folders.
• Researchers are responsible for all materials checked out to them. Materials may not be transferred to other researchers.
• The archivist or archives assistant will do any/all photocopying. The Archives has the right to refuse photocopying of any materials based on condition, copyright, etc.
• It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure permission to publish material/s from WYASC holdings. (see copyright policy)