Rare Book Collection Policies & Procedures

The Rare Book Collection in Special Collections contains materials which are housed away from the circulating collection because of the date of publication or some other special characteristic. This policy is concerned not only with making these materials available to interested users, but also with ensuring their preservation.

Services

Access to materials in the Rare Book Collection is through the reference desk in the Jefferson Caffery Reading Room. Special Collections staff will retrieve materials since the stacks are closed to the public. Browsing is permitted for research purposes only at the discretion of the Head of Special Collections or the Louisiana Collection Librarian. Anyone may use items from the Rare Book Collection upon completing an archives registration form. The materials in the Rare Book Collection are identified in the Dupré Library Catalog with a designation of "Rare Book Room."

Users

Patrons are required to use a pencil to take notes when using rare books and should not expose the pages or items to flash photography. Users desiring to publish materials from the Rare Book Collection are responsible for securing any needed copyright permission.

Circulation of Materials

Use of materials from the Rare Book Collection is more restricted than for items in the circulating collection. Items must be consulted in the Jefferson Caffery Reading Room, and do not circulate. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis, especially for faculty requesting items for use in classes or for researchers needing materials for in-depth study. Even in these cases, circulation is usually restricted to a maximum of three (3) days. The Head of Special Collections or the Louisiana Collection Librarian makes this determination.

Fees & Fines

If materials are lost or damaged while in the possession of a user, that individual is responsible for replacement and repair costs as determined by rare book dealers' catalogs or consultation with conservators.

Copies

Photocopying may only be done with the permission of either the Head of Special Collections or the Louisiana Collection Librarian. This restriction is due to preservation concerns since many items in the Rare Book Collection are in fragile condition. A self-service scanner is available in the Jefferson Caffery Reading Room to use at no charge, although some items may not be scanned due to fragility or vulnerability to light.

Contact

Neil Guilbeau | Instructor and Reference Archivist
(337) 482-1164 | neil.guilbeau@louisiana.edu

[ Last Revised on April 11, 2025 ]