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Research Library Rules of Use

The A.T. Museum Society strives to provide the utmost in a professional research library and therefore establishes the following Rules of Research Library Use, Camera Use, Theft of Library Material and Copyright Warning policies.  Strict adherence to these rules and policies are paramount to the successful operation of the Research Library.  Any violations of the rules will result in loss of research privileges.


After each listing of rules or policies, you can find a downloadable link of the document.  

RULES FOR RESEARCH LIBRARY USE
Please help us preserve our materials
by observing the following rules:

  • Researchers must make an appointment, through the Museum Manager, to use the Library and must present a reasonable explanation of their need to use the Library materials.​
  • Everyone must wash their hands before entering the Library.​
  • No food, beverages (including water bottles), or tobacco in any form are allowed in the Library.  ​​
  • The only materials a researcher may bring into the Library are pencils (no pens, highlighters, correction fluid), loose paper (no notepads or notebooks), laptop or tablet (without case), camera (no case or tripod), & cell phone.  All other personal belongings—including coats, jackets, hats, briefcases, handbags, backpacks, laptop cases, packages, etc.— must be left in the researcher's vehicle, left with staff on another floor, or (if there is space available) in locked drawers or cabinets within the Library.  
  • Researchers must provide a current photo ID upon registering and a copy will be kept with their Registration Form. If they do not have a current photo ID, they will allow their photo to be taken by staff, to be kept with their Registration Form.  
  • Researchers will read and comply with all rules of the Library including those regarding digital photography, use of materials, reproduction, security, and copyright.
  • Paper and pencils are usually available upon request.
  • Researchers are not allowed access to stacks or storage/file cabinets.
  • A maximum of three books, or one container (box, folder, or envelope) holding  multiple items, may be in use at the same time by the researcher(s).  Ask for an Item Request Form and fill it out to obtain materials from the stacks.
  • Materials from a container are to be maintained in the exact order they were when inside the container.
  • Materials are to be kept flat on the table or on a book cradle; they may not be held in the hands or on the lap. Use 'snake' weights to hold pages open. Be very careful when turning pages, so as to avoid damaging them.
  • Do not mark, mishandle or deface materials. Do not rest other objects on top of them. Do not write or trace on top of them.
  • Photography using a camera, tablet, or cell phone must be done without flash. Personal scanners are not allowed. Refer to the Camera Use Policy for all restrictions.
  • Reproduction of print materials is restricted and subject to the discretion of the Museum. Fragile, old, or large materials will not be photocopied or scanned. The Museum may refuse any reproduction request due to copyright concerns, material condition, or technical limitations. All photocopying or scanning of print materials must be done by staff and will be completed when staff are available. If staff cannot complete the reproduction request on the day of the researcher's visit, the copies will be mailed when complete. Researchers will pay copy fees and postage in advance.  If copies are desired, ask for a Reproduction Request Form.  
  • Researchers will not remove Library materials from the Research Library without permission of the Manager, Librarian or Board.
  • Researchers' materials and personal articles may be inspected each time they enter or leave the Library
  • Researchers may be detained if suspected of removing, or planning to remove, materials from the Library without authorization. Researchers who have removed, or have attempted to remove, materials from the Library without authorization may be refused access to the Library in the future.​
  • A researcher may be refused future access to the Library if they have violated any of these rules.
rules_for_research_library_use.pdf
File Size: 97 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


CAMERA USE POLICY

Researchers may take photographs of collection materials as allowed by copyright law,
as allowed by the Library based on the physical condition of the materials, and as
allowed by the following rules.
 
  • Photographs may be taken only with a personal camera or cell phone.
  • Tripod, flash, or special lighting are not allowed.
  • Portable scanners are not allowed.
  • Handle materials with care and according to Library rules.
  • Keep materials flat on the table or in the stand/cradle provided.
  • Do not stand on chairs, tables, or other furniture. Request the Library's step stool if needed.
  • Do not put materials on the floor.
  • Photographs are not to be used to make a complete personal copy of any book, pamphlet, or periodical.
  • Accurate citations for all items photographed are the responsibility of the researcher.
  • Permission to publish photographs of materials must be obtained by the researcher from copyright holders.
  • The Library reserves the right to deny permission to photograph collection materials at its discretion. Preservation needs always take precedence over photography needs.
  • No photographs of the Library or staff are allowed without permission of the Librarian or the Museum Manager. 
camera_use_policy.pdf
File Size: 33 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


THEFT OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

Museum policy:

Library users are expected to use Library resources appropriately and to comply with state law and Museum policy. Materials may not be removed from the Library without authorization.  Unauthorized possession of materials is a serious offense and may be subject to disciplinary or legal action. Willful mutilation of, injury to, or defacement of, Library materials will be considered and treated as theft. For the purposes of this policy, Library materials are defined as any book, plate, picture, photograph, engraving, painting, drawing, map, notebook, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, broadside, manuscript, document, letter, public record, microfilm, sound recording, audio-visual materials in any format, electronic data processing records, computer hardware and software, artifacts or other documentary, written, or printed materials regardless of physical form or characteristics, or library furnishings belonging to, on loan to, or in the custody of the Library. This definition includes all institutional property housed in or intended for use in the Library.
 
In instances where an individual is attempting, or has attempted, to remove Library materials or equipment from the Library without permission, the Museum staff has the option of detaining the individual, documenting the incident, and taking appropriate action. Museum staff may elect to contact local law enforcement. 
 
 
Pennsylvania law (18 Pa.C.S. § 3929.1):
 
§ 3929.1. Library theft.
(a) Offense defined. A person is guilty of library theft if he willfully conceals on his person or among his belongings any library or museum material while still on the premises of a library or willfully and without authority removes any library or museum material from a library with the intention of converting such material to his own use.
(b) Grading.
(1) Library theft constitutes a:
(i) Summary offense when the offense is a first offense and the value of the material is less than $150.
(ii) Misdemeanor of the second degree when the offense is a second offense and the value of the material is less than $150.
(iii) Misdemeanor of the first degree when the offense is a first or second offense and the value of the material is $150 or more.
(iv) Felony of the third degree when the offense is a third or subsequent offense, regardless of the value of the material.
(2) Amounts involved in library thefts committed pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, whether from the same library or several libraries, may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.
(c)  Presumption. A person who willfully conceals any library or museum material on his person or among his belongings while still on the premises of the library or in the immediate vicinity thereof shall be prima facie presumed to have concealed the library or museum material with the intention of converting such material to his own use.
(d)  Detention. A peace officer, employee or agent of a library who has probable cause to believe that a person has committed library theft may detain such person on the premises of the library or in the immediate vicinity thereof for the following purposes:
(1)  To conduct an investigation in a reasonable manner and within a reasonable length of time to determine whether such person has unlawfully concealed or removed any library or museum material.
(2)  To inform a peace officer of the detention of the person or surrender that person to the custody of a peace officer. 
theft_of_library_materials_-_warning__notice.pdf
File Size: 92 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


COPYRIGHT WARNING

Copyright warning: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or other reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a researcher makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," without obtaining permission of the copyright owner, that researcher may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a reproduction request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would involve violation of copyright law.
copyright_warning_notice.pdf
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


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