• Please create a new Special Collections account or log into your existing account to make an appointment or place requests for materials in the collections.

• Items that can be taken into the Reading Room include pencils, note paper or notebooks, laptops, tablets/pads, cameras, chargers, and cell phones. Food, drinks, pens, and other personal items like bags, briefcases, purses, laptop or camera cases, outerwear, and umbrellas should be left in a secure locker.  

• LSU Special Collections materials are non-circulating and can only be used in the Reading Room in Hill Memorial Library.  

• Some collections are stored off campus and require additional time to retrieve,  typically 3-7 days. Talk to a staff member for assistance in placing requests from remote storage.  

• Unprocessed collections materials may be used only with permission from a curator. A staff member can assist with this process. 

• Items currently on exhibit are unavailable for use in research or instruction unless special approval has been requested in advance and agreed upon by library staff.  

• Patrons may photograph archival and manuscript materials (without flash) after completing a Camera User Policy form, obtained from reference desk staff. 

• Duplication and digitization services are available.

Due to the rare or fragile nature of our collections, we ask all researchers to handle materials with extra care according to the following guidelines. Thank you for helping us preserve these unique resources.  

• Ensure hands are clean and dry before using materials.
• Use only pencils in the Reading Room.
• Keep materials flat on the tabletop. Please do not mark, alter, fold, lean on, trace materials, or write on note paper with library materials underneath.
• Use one manuscript box, volume, or reel, or up to five publications at a time.
• Maintain the existing order of materials in folders; do not remove items from folders.
• Notify staff if you notice damage of the materials or if items in archival collections appear to be out of order. Do not rearranging the materials yourself.
• Use the provided gloves wwhen handling photographs.
• Use the provided book cradles and weights as necessary.
• Return all items to the reference desk when you are finished with them.
• Make all belongings available for staff to check when you exit the Reading Room.

Loan policy: 

• Accredited museums and cultural institutions with proven exhibitions programs may submit loan requests 6 months in advance of proposed loan date.
• Requests must include exhibition title, building location, names of curator(s), duration and method of display, and: 
  • (published material) title, author, publisher, year of publication, collection, and call number, along with proposed page(s) to display 
  • (manuscript material) title of collection, item date and description, location 
• Loan requests should be sent to Chairity Waugh, Special Collections Cataloger, at cwaugh3@lsu.edu 

If approved, borrower must provide a certificate of insurance and current facility report. LSU Libraries must approve mode of shipping/transportation. 

Original photographs are not subject to loan. Learn about Special Collections duplication policy here.