Regulations

• Archival materials do not circulate. They may be used only in the reading room of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
• Use of University administrative, Trustee, and student records is regulated. Consult an archivist for particulars of the access policy.
• Advance notice is required to use records that are stored off site.
• Stack areas are closed to researchers except when accompanied by member of the Archives staff.
• Persons coming from a distance should make arrangements ahead of time to insure that they can be accommodated.
• Drinks, food, or tobacco products are not permitted in the reading room. Please be sparing in your use of perfumes or colognes, as scents may be disturbing to other people.
• All briefcases and other bags must be deposited in the lockers provided. The Archives reserves the right to inspect any bags or other containers brought into the reading room.
• The Archives cannot be responsible for personal material left by patrons.
• Use only a pencil or felt-tip pen for note taking.
• Portable computers and digital cameras may be used, so long as usage does not disturb other patrons. There are a limited number of outlets. Space is also limited. The use of other equipment must be approved by the staff beforehand.
• Use care in examining records. Don't place books or other objects on top of papers or file folders. If an item appears to be damaged or misfiled, please notify a staff member. Please maintain records in the order in which you find them.
• When citing materials, proper acknowledgment should be given to Duke University Archives. The suggested form for use in a bibliography is "Duke University Archives," followed by the name of the record group or collection. For example, Duke University Archives. Duke University Academic Council Records. Or Duke University Archives. Katherine M. Banham Papers.
• The Archives will appreciate receiving a copy of any paper, article, or other work that has made use of the records here.

Copying

• Materials may be copied, with permission from a staff member.
• Copies of unpublished materials or photographs are for personal research use only, and will receive an Archives stamp. They may not be forwarded to another party, reproduced, or deposited in another repository.
• There are restrictions on copying official records, fragile materials, and personal papers restricted by a donor.
• In order to preserve honors theses and other bound volumes, copies of these items will be made by the Duke Copy Center. Our in-house copier is not designed for copying bound volumes.

Publication

• The patron assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel and literary property rights that may be involved in the use of any document preserved in the Archives.
• Permission to examine or to photocopy materials does not constitute permission to publish. Permission to publish must be secured prior to publication.
• A fee may be charged for commercial use of records.

Student information

• Your signature on our registration form will certify that you agree that you will not release in any form personally identifiable student information obtained from your research in the Archives without the prior written consent of the student; and that upon completion of your study, you will return to the Archives all personally-identifiable data and all copies thereof, or destroy all such data and copies.

• About the Archives
• Visit the Archives
• Finding Materials
• Subject Guides
• Duke History
• Digital Collections
• FAQs
• Exhibits
• DukeSpace
• Links
• Ask a Question
• Archives Staff