Effective Date: November 3, 2022
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Vice Provost for University Libraries, 478-301-2110
Purpose
The University Libraries maintain collections of archival and manuscript material.
Scope
This policy applies to all students and employees at Mercer University.
Exclusions
None
Policy Statement
To safeguard unique and valuable archival and manuscript material, researchers must observe the following guidelines:
- Users may bring only those materials needed for research into the reading room. The library reserves the right to inspect briefcases, notebooks, and other personal property before the researcher leaves the unit.
- All archival materials are housed in closed stacks. Researchers must request materials through department staff and conduct their research in Special Collections. Materials will be inspected before they are re-shelved.
- The researcher accepts responsibility for handling all materials carefully. No pens may be used; only pencils are allowed in the reading room.
- Mutilation, destruction, and theft of Special Collections materials will be prosecuted.
- The original order of archival documents must be maintained.
- Material may be photocopied in accordance with the limits of the copyright act and the unit policies. The Special Collections staff may restrict some copying to protect fragile, damaged, or oversized materials.
- Certain documents may be restricted by statute or the office of origin/donor. The researcher must assume full responsibility for fulfilling the terms connected with the use of restricted material. For the protection of its holdings, Special Collections also reserves the right to restrict the use of unprocessed materials (those that are not yet arranged or housed in accordance with archival standards), materials of exceptional value, and fragile or damaged materials.
- Permission from Special Collections must be obtained before any unpublished documents can be published. In giving permission to copy, quote, or publish, Special Collections does not surrender its own right to publish such material or grant permission to others to do so. The researcher assumes full responsibility for use of material and conformity to the laws of defamation, privacy, and copyright and shall indemnify and hold harmless the University and the unit from claims arising as a result of use of the material so obtained. If the donor has retained literary rights, the researcher must obtain the donor’s permission before publication.
- If permission to publish is granted, location of the material must be indicated in the work. In citing materials from manuscript collections located in this department, the form should be as follows:
[Identification of the item and the title of the collection], Special Collections, Mercer University Jack Tarver Library, Macon, Georgia.
- Loud use of cell phones, smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted in Special Collections under any circumstances.
Additional Resources
Patrons are required to make an appointment to conduct research by:
- using the online appointment form;
- emailing archives@mercer.edu; or
- calling (478) 301-2968.
Website Address