Museum Archives: Using the Archives

Please demonstrate best practices when handling Museum Archives materials.

• Do not bring food or drink into the Reading Room.
• Please refrain from using hand lotion and wash hands prior to consulting materials.
• Remove any large jewelry that may cause damage to materials.
• Keep archives box situated on the Reading Room cart.
• Consult one folder at a time.
• When removing a folder from archives box, mark location with tabbed “Out” sheet.
• Return archives box on cart to staff when finished.
• Exclusively use pencils, laptop computers or smaller hand-held devices when consulting materials.
• Position notebooks or laptops to the side of archives materials.
• Limit physical contact when handling fragile materials
• Use nitrile gloves provided by staff to handle any photographic materials
• Notify staff if you encounter damaged items.
• Make note of records group and container(s) for your own reference. See preferred citation below.

The Archivist may be unable to fulfill requests for access due to the following issues:

• Unprocessed materials
• Size, media type, and/or condition of materials
• Donor restrictions
• Sensitive records 

The following records are restricted:

• Human Resources Records
• Closed Session Minutes
• Donor Files

The Archivist, in consultation with an originating department head, may provide a redacted version of a record containing confidential information. 

Researchers are allowed to scan materials using the self-service KIC Book Eye scanner in the reading room. They may also use smartphones and other hand-held devices to photograph archival materials as long as no flash is used.