Visit Our Reading Room
Rauner Special Collections Library is open to visiting researchers who need onsite access to its collections. While not required, we recommend that you make an appointment at least two working days in advance in order to ensure that your requested materials are available when you arrive. You can do so by emailing rauner.reference@dartmouth.edu.
During the term, onsite research can be conducted in the Rooke Reading Room on weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:45 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. During the interim, we are open on weekdays from 9:00am to 4:15pm. For more information about specific dates, please visit the official Library Hours webpage.
We recommend bringing your own camera or phone if you need images of materials, as scan orders may be delayed by staffing requirements. A camera stand with a smartphone mount will be available if needed.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
- Please store all backpacks, computer cases, briefcases, handbags, coats, hats, and other personal items in one of the lockers on the right-hand side of the lobby. Use the hooks for items that do not require a locker.
- Keep your Dartmouth identification card (Dartmouth users) or a photo ID (all others) with you.
- In order to prevent damage to the research materials, food and drink are not allowed in the reading room.
- You may bring paper, pencils, laptops, and any secondary material you need into the reading room. Pens are not allowed in the reading room.
USING SPECIAL COLLECTIONS MATERIALS
- Check in with staff at the reading room reference desk upon arrival. If you do not have a Dartmouth ID card, you will need to complete a short registration form.
- If you have not already done so, discuss which materials you would like to see with a member of our reference staff. We will assist you in completing paging slips for each item. Once we have retrieved items for your use, we will hold your identification card at the desk while you use the material.
- Except for reference stacks along the perimeter of the reading room, the Special Collections stacks are closed to browsing.
- When your items are brought to you, observe any special handling instructions you are given by our staff.
- No Special Collections materials may leave the reading room without the permission of the College Archivist or the Special Collections Librarian.
- Please do not mark or alter in any way books, documents, or other items from the collections. Paper is available for use as bookmarks, if needed.
- If you are requesting multiple items, limits on the number of items you may have at one time may apply. For manuscripts and documents, please keep only one box open at a time and remove only one folder at a time.
- Please maintain the existing order of items in folders and document boxes. If you think that a filing error has occurred, please do not rearrange items; notify a staff person of the error.
- Let Rauner reference staff know if you wish to request copies of items from the collection. We will assist you if you wish to make digital images of special collections materials with your own camera.