Archives & Special Collections

This form is also available in pdf format here.

Welcome to Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi.  Our principal mission is to acquire, preserve, and provide access to research materials that relate to Mississippi history and literature.  By nature, some of these materials are rare, fragile, irreplaceable, or otherwise in need of protection.  Please handle them with care and respect.  Archives staff members are available to help readers locate material and information.  Please do not hesitate to consult them.

1.  Researcher Registration:  The first time you request archival materials, you will be asked to fill out a registration form and present picture identification at the Service Desk.  At the beginning of each year, patrons will need to complete a new registration form. Patrons using only the book collection need not fill out this form.

2.  Requesting Materials:  Special Collections materials cannot be checked out and the stacks are closed to the public.  To request material for use in the Archives, complete a call slip for EACH title or manuscript collection and present the slip(s) at the Service Desk. Researchers are limited to 3 books or manuscript folders at a time.  Patrons  must request manuscript collections at least one hour before closing time.

3.  Rules for Photocopying:

Please place your initials at the space after the letter J, indicating that you have read all the policies.

A. Copies are made for research and reference only. Copyright is not conveyed with this copy. Applicant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Special Collections, the University of Mississippi, and all its agents and employees against all claims, damages, actions, judgments, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from any claims or allegations of invasion of privacy and/or rights to publicity and any claims arising from failure to obtain adequate permissions from the subjects in the material(s).

B. A black and white photocopying machine is available for researchers’ use.  A Special Collections staff member must consult all materials from manuscript collections prior to photocopying. We reserve the right to deny a copy request if copying will result in harming items or if it would violate copyright or any other restriction.

C. Please note that most manuscripts, sound recordings, photographs, and moving image material housed in Special Collections are protected under copyright law (Title 17, U.S.C.) See below.

D. Copies are ten cents a piece. The copy machine also accepts one dollar bills. Please bring a supply of coins or bills, as Special Collections does not keep change at the desk.

E. Personal scanners, copiers, cameras (video, digital, still) are not allowed in Special Collections.

F. Twentieth-century literary manuscripts and letters may not be photocopied without the written permission of literary copyright holders.

G. Unprocessed collections can be consulted only with the prior permission of the Head of Special Collections and photocopies cannot be made from these collections.

H. Maps cannot be photocopied.

I. Original photographs cannot be photocopied. However, copies can be made from the access copies created for photographic materials. See front desk for assistance.

J. Patrons can not copy more than 15% of the contents of any one box in a manuscript collection.

Please initial here indicating that you have read the policies above _________________

4.  General  Regulations:

· NO PENS ALLOWED.  Please use only pencils or computers in the lobby.         

· NO BAGS, BACKPACKS, BRIEFCASES, PURSES, LAPTOP CASES, BOOKS, BINDERS,
FOLDERS, NOTEBOOKS, ETC. ARE ALLOWED IN SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.  Please
place all such items in the lockers we have provided.  Paper can be obtained at the Service Desk.

· Special Collections books and manuscripts must stay within the Archives lobby.

· Food, beverages, and tobacco products are prohibited in the Archives.

· Special Collections books and manuscripts must not be written on, altered, leaned on, folded, or traced.

· Never write on paper with archives material underneath. The impression can pass through and cause damage.

· Keep material flat on top of tables.

· Make sure your hands are clean. Gloves will be issued when handling photographs or other sensitive material.

· If damage occurs during handling, notify a staff member.

·Take care not to drag anything, such as jewelry, across the surface of materials.

· Please take care to preserve the existing arrangement of material within folders and boxes.  DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER OF MATERIALS.  If anything appears to be misfiled, do not attempt to correct it yourself.  Call it to the attention of an Archives staff member.