Rare Books + Manuscripts 

The Rare Books and Manuscripts Department welcomes and encourages use of its collections. We maintain reading rooms at the Eisenhower, Peabody, and Garrett libraries. A photo ID is required for entrance to the Eisenhower and Peabody libraries.

Click on the Locations tab to view hours and locations, and the About Us tab for staff contact information. 

We offer reproductions of materials if the condition permits.  For information on ordering, cost and use of reproductions, click here.

Rare Books and Manuscripts Regulations

The Sheridan Libraries have a special responsibility to maintain in good condition all materials entrusted to its care in Rare Books and Manuscripts. Readers are asked to exercise the greatest care in handling fragile documents and books and not to mark them in any way. The following regulations are intended to help preserve these materials for your use as well as for the use of future readers.

1. Readers are required to register annually to use Rare Books and Manuscripts. Your registration form will become part of the department's permanent records.

2. Materials may be used only in designated areas .

3. Readers may not take personal belongings, such as briefcases, book bags and coats, into the Reading Room. No drink containers or gum chewing are permitted.

4. Readers may use pencils or laptop computers for note taking. Pencils and electrical outlets are available in the Reading Room. Pens or scanners may not be used in the Reading Room.

5. Care must be taken in handling rare and unique materials. Materials must be flat on the table. Nothing (including elbows) should be placed on materials. Book stands and "snakes" are available to hold bound items open. The original order of unbound materials must be maintained. Do not rearrange manuscript or archival materials. Please report any apparent disarrangement to the staff member on duty.

6. Requests for new manuscript or archival material, collections of books, or materials held on reserve must be placed before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings when the Reading Room is open until 8:00 p.m.

7. Most archival and manuscript materials are housed outside of the Library. Any materials not housed in the Library must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use.

8. Limited photocopying services are available upon request. All copies will be made by Library staff. The Library reserves the right to refuse to copy any item if such copying will either damage the material or impinge on copyright or other restrictions. In general, copies of entire books, manuscript collections or archival record groups are not made. Click here for our reprographic policies and fees.

9. Copy orders are filled in the order in which they are received. At the time the order is placed, an estimated date for completion will be given. When the order is filled, the copies can be mailed or picked up by the patron. All orders must be placed before 4:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings).

10. Readers who wish to publish, reprint or reproduce in any form materials in the collections should complete a publication request form.

Peabody Library

Rare Books

University Archives

Manuscripts