Guidelines for Readers

Special Collections Reading Room Guidelines

In order to allow your visit to the Special Collections Reading Room to be as effective as possible we ask you to familiarise yourself with the following directives in advance.

Consulting Special Collections material

• Check our opening hours
• Request material in advance to allow for its delivery to the Reading Room before your arrival
• Please place coats and bags in the lockers which are available outside the Reading Room
• Sign Register on the entering the Reading Room
• List details of items being consulted
• Switch off mobile phones
• Use only pencils, which are available in the Reading Room or laptops for note-taking
• Do not lean or rest your notebook on the material you consult
• Turn pages, particularly fold-out pages, maps and large volumes very carefully
• Refrain from forcing a book to lie flat or face downwards
• Use book supports where necessary – these are available from staff
• Bookmark pages with slips of acid-free paper which are available from staff
• Ask staff to separate uncut pages when you find same in books or journals you consult
• Clean hands before using books to prevent marks and stains on pages/bindings
• Photocopying or photographing of material is always at the discretion of staff
• Digital images of some materials can be organized with the prior agreement of staff
• Do not bring food or drink into the Reading Room
• A restaurant and some coffee outlets are located close by
• The Reading Room is wheelchair accessible
• Metered parking is available adjacent to the library building for external readers
• All material is consulted on the understanding that the terms of the Copyright and Related Rights Act are being complied with.

 If you have any queries please contact us at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie