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Reading Room Research Procedures
General Rules
- Materials in Lemmen Library & Archives do not circulate and may not be removed from the Reading Room without permission.
- Stack areas are closed to researchers.
- Food, beverages, and gum are not permitted at the Reading Room table.
- Pencils, cell phones, laptops, or other personal devices can be used at the reading room table.
- Researchers agree to behave with respect and courtesy to staff and other researchers who may be using the space.
- Personal belongings are placed in the designated area during a research visit. Archives staff reserves the right to inspect any bags or containers brought into the reading room.
Handling of Materials
- Handle materials with care. Staff will instruct researchers on proper care and handling of materials and provide any necessary props, aids, or protective gear.
- Materials remain in the order in which the researcher received them. Files are removed one at a time and replaced before the next one is removed from its box.
- If an item appears to be damaged or misfiled, please notify Archives staff. Intentional mutilation, destruction, and theft of materials are subject to prosecution.
Reproductions and Permissions
- Non-flash photography on personal devices is permitted. Photocopies or digital scans are available upon request, subject to staff approval.
- Work created using Lemmen Library's special collections and archival materials should include proper citations.
- Permission to use the archives does not include the right to reproduce or publish their contents. Researchers assume full responsibility for adhering to laws regarding literary, copyright, or publications rights.
Collection Development
Special Collections
Materials in Special Collections help support the university curricula and research interests of faculty, staff, and students, as well as those outside the university. The rare books, manuscripts, documents, and artwork collected supplement and enhance resources available in GVSU Libraries. The collections are international in scope with particular focus on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War; Michigan in the novel; regional literature, history and culture; and history of the book and printing arts.
Read the full Special Collections & University Archives Collection Development Policy
University Archives
The Grand Valley State University Archives is the repository for official and ancillary records created by the University's administration, academic departments, faculty, students, and campus organizations. The Archives collects records that document and support the University's mission to contribute to the enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service. It exists to help meet the University's legal responsibility to preserve and make available its records and to assist the University community to document its actions and decisions.
Selection and Donations
Materials acquired through purchase, transfer, or donation are evaluated by an archivist or curator prior to their accession. The informational contents, condition, format, completeness, and research value of materials are carefully considered, with particular attention to how the materials fit into the scope of our collections.
Occasionally, donors or other community members may request a monetary appraisal of materials by which the repository might benefit. University Libraries' staff is prohibited from offering a monetary appraisal. See more info in Appraisal.
If you have materials that you would like to donate to Lemmen Library & Archives, or questions about the donation process, please contact us. A Lemmen Library & Archives director or archivist will review the contents and condition of the materials before accepting the donation. Donors must sign a Deed of Gift transferring ownership of the materials to the university.
Permission to Publish
As owners of the physical materials in its collections, Lemmen Library & Archives reserves the right to grant permission to publish materials in its holdings. A written request for permission to publish must be made in advance. Use the PDF form linked above for this request. You may return the form by mail at the address given, or as an email attachment to Leigh Rupinski, Archivist for Public Services and Community Engagement at [email protected].
Except for brief excerpts, material under copyright cannot be duplicated without the written permission of the copyright owner. The full responsibility for infringement is assumed by the individual requesting permission to publish. Unless specifically stated, Grand Valley State University does not claim ownership of the copyright on any of the materials in Lemmen Library & Archives.
Manuscript materials used in research are to be cited in any resulting papers or publications.
Use fees may be charged for commercial publication at the discretion of Lemmen Library & Archives.
See also Copyright Basics.
Digital Preservation
Grand Valley State University is committed to the long-term preservation of digital materials collected by the University Libraries. GVSU defines digital preservation as a series of managed activities necessary for continued access to digital materials for as long as necessary. This work is an outgrowth of GVSU's dedication to providing students, faculty, staff, and scholars at-large with access to resources to enrich their teaching, learning, scholarly, creative, and administrative activities. GVSU Libraries considers digital preservation an essential investment in its broader work of collection building and preservation of its institutional history.
Priority for digital preservation services is given to materials acquired or created by Lemmen Library & Archives and ScholarWorks@GVSU. As resources permit and the University or Libraries administration mandate, digital preservation services may be extended to support other partners, projects, or initiatives. GVSU Libraries endeavors at a minimum to preserve access to any donated, acquired, or created digital materials in their original file formats. The Libraries will then make a "good-faith effort" (but cannot guarantee) to provide ongoing systematic access to those same digital materials in more preferred or widely supported file formats.
GVSU Libraries will make every effort to keep preserved digital collections discoverable, but not all preserved resources will necessarily be available immediately or available online. There may be cases where some or all information related to digital material may be restricted/redacted, embargoed, or have other special rights-driven requirements for access. Finally, the work of preserving any given digital content at the present moment does not necessarily guarantee ongoing future access—something altogether dependent upon unanticipated changes in technologies, their availability, as well as policies on disposition.
Appraisal
Lemmen Library & Archives does not authenticate, provide evaluation, or otherwise provide a professional assessment or certification of any rare material being offered for sale or donation. Staff is prohibited from offering a monetary appraisal.
We have curated a short list of resources that may be useful. If you wish to find an appraiser, we recommend using one of the listed Associations. Members of these Associations are all required to adhere to a strong code of ethics.
For Books:
- “Your Old Books”, a guide from the American Library Association.
- Via Libri
- ABE Books
- Bookfinder
- Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America