Goodrich Reading Room Guidelines

The College Archives/Special Collections welcomes all members of the College community as well as registered users and asks them only to follow a few operational rules:

• Patrons are asked to sign-in if they are here to use collections for research. Students visiting as part of a Special Collections class do not need to sign in.
• All historical materials must be used in the Archives/Special Collections Goodrich Reading Room (Mudd 410) or other area designated by staff.
• Coats, boots, bags, umbrellas, etc. should be left on the hooks and in the lockers provided for that purpose in the outer hallway. The lockers can be secured, but are for day time use only.
• No food or drink are allowed in the Goodrich Reading Room.
• Researchers are asked to work quietly, put their cell phones on vibrate and take/make calls in the corridor.
• Researchers should use pencil in taking notes and must handle records with utmost care. Handling information will be provided on a case-by-case basis. Staff have the right to refuse access to items that they deem at high risk, until such time as they can be used more safely.
• Researchers are asked to wash their hands prior to using collections and in some instances may be required to wear cotton gloves. A sink is located in the Goodrich Reading Room.
• Some records contain restrictions. Conditions on access exist to protect individual privacy or confidential information. In these cases, the Archivist or the creating office can sometimes grant permission to gain access to the records. Special Collections will not permit access.
• The College Archives/Special Collections offers photocopying and .pdf scanning facilities for a fee of 40 cents per page. For higher resolution images please see our Permissions & Reproductions guidelines. All work is done by our staff. We can direct requests for continuous tone photographic reproductions to an outside vendor.
• Patrons can make full use of laptop computers. The Goodrich Reading Room is equipped with power outlets, data ports, and wireless Internet. More limited use of hand held digital cameras in the Reading Room is permitted. Flash photography is not permitted.
•  The primary mission of Special Collection is to support the work of Oberlin College students, faculty, and staff.  Service for all others is provided as time allows.