When you visit the UW-Superior Special Collections, you will be required to follow several rules necessary to keep our collections safe and preserve our materials for future research.
An annual Researcher Registration form must be read and filled out on the researcher's first visit to the Reading Room during each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Researchers must sign the log each day when entering the Reading Room.
Only pencils may be used in the Reading Room. Pens are not allowed.
Computers, cameras, tape recorders, and other such equipment may be used only with staff permission. Please ask the archivist before using your digital camera to photograph materials. Personal scanners are not allowed.
All containers and personal effects including coats, brief cases, carrying cases, backpacks, and purses must be left at the front desk or in lockers.
Food and beverages, including water, are not allowed.
A researcher should have only one container of archival material at his/her work station at a time and should complete work with that container and return it to the Archivist before requesting another container.
All materials must be handled carefully. They must not be leaned upon, marked, bent, or torn. Please preserve the existing arrangement of materials by turning sheets in order and keeping them neatly in their folders. Please report to the staff any errors in cataloging, dating, or filing. Do not attempt to correct errors yourself.
The Archives stacks are closed to researchers unless accompanied by a staff member. Staff will retrieve requested files and replace used materials.
Collections do not circulate to individuals.
Photocopying and scanning is available, but restrictions may be imposed for bound volumes, oversize sheets, or fragile items (including blueprints). Some records may also be subject to copyright restrictions that prohibit reproduction.
The use of certain items may be restricted by statute or by donors. For the protection of its collections, the Archives also reserves the right to restrict use of unprocessed records and fragile materials.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in his/her use of archival materials.
Researchers must stop at the desk before exiting. All notes, photocopies, books, etc. must be presented to the staff for inspection. By law the Archives has the right to detain any persons suspected of attempting the unauthorized removal of any document, map, book, or other archival material (WI Statutes, Chap. 943.61; WI Laws of 1979, Chap. 245). Penalties for archival theft include a fine and potential prison term, depending on the value of the material taken.
