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Purpose
of the Department
The Rare Books and Manuscripts Department serves as the Boston Public Library's principal repository of rare books, manuscripts and historical artifacts of permanent or enduring value collected for their intellectual content and historical significance. The primary mission of the department and its staff is to preserve and create access to these collections through collection development, cataloging, reference services, interpretive programs and exhibitions, and conservation, in order to make them accessible to the scholarly community and the general public.
Use
of the Department
In
general, the Rare Books Department is open to any
those whose research
justifies the use of material from the collection. Students undertaking exercises in
the techniques of research should not expect to use
rare book materials. An appointment is advisable for all
users and visitors in that it enables us to prepare
material in advance for viewing. Special viewings, class
visits and group tours can be
arranged in advance.
Reading
privileges are granted subject to the following
rules:
- Readers
are required to fill out a Department
registration
form
before entering the Reading Room. All users must
have a Boston Public Library card or a courtesy
card and a valid picture ID. Additional
identification may be required, such as a
driver's license, university or business
identification card, a letter of introduction
from a university or a research library,
etc.
- Materials are to be used only in the Reading Room.
- All coats, bags, books, notebooks, and other personal items must be checked with the receptionist.
- Readers may take loose paper and pencils only into the Reading Room.
- Food, drink, and chewing gum are not permitted.
- Laptop computers and digital cameras must be removed from cases.
- A separate call slip must be completed for each item requested.
- All material must be returned to the librarian before leaving the Reading Room.
- Tracing of maps or illustrations is not allowed.
- The original order of manuscript material must be maintained.
Hours
Please see our hours page for current Rare Books department hours.
Location
The
Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts is located
in the third floor of the Research Library. The
entrance door opens to the Koussevitzky Room, named
in memory of the conductor of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra
from 1924 to 1949, and frequent exhibit site for
his memorabilia.
To
the left in the Koussevitzky Room is the Piston
Room, established in honor of American composer
Walter Piston and containing his library and
desk.
At
the rear of the Koussevitzky Room stand two rooms,
one in which the Dwiggins marionettes are
exhibited, and the other housing Dwiggins' stage
and other theatrical instruments.
To
the left is the exhibit room, surrounded by wall
cases, and providing access to the Dwiggins' studio
on the right.The exhibit room serves as display
center for various treasures in the collection.
Here, also, is the readers's registration
desk.
In
the reading room beyond, a quiet area ideal for
research, are the catalogs. A librarian is always
in attendance in the reading room to provide
assistance.
Statement
of Photo Reproduction Policy
The
Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts will
provide photoreproductionsor digital images of its material when the
character and condition of the items themselves and
the purposes for which they are to be used justify
the processes involved.
The
Department reserves the right not to reproduce less
than a complete work or bibliographic unit, nor
will it reproduce materials en bloc for
inclusion in institutions or libraries.
A
service fee (normally $10.00 for an individual
item) will be charged for the services of
reproduction, in addition to the cost of the
reproduction itself.
Special
arrangements are required and appropriate fees
charged for further reproduction, publication, or
commercial use of the Library's
materials.
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