• 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.  

LSU Libraries Special Collections duplication services support research, teaching, scholarship, publication, and artistic production involving the use of our physical and digital collections. We offer patrons fee-based duplication services for personal or research use only. The LSU Libraries staff reserves the right to refuse a duplication request based on material format, physical condition and any applicable restrictions.

To place a duplication request, use the Special Collections Request System. First-time LSU affiliates (users with a PAWS ID and password) can create an account by clicking on the Login or Create Account button in the Single Sign-On for LSU Students, Faculty, and Staff box. First-time non-LSU affiliaties can create an account by clicking on the Login or Create Account button in the Guest box (be sure to click on the First Time Users link after that).

Orders should be submitted through a patron's research account. To place an order, follow these steps:

1. Locate the catalog record for each book, manuscript collection, or other item to be copied using the LSU Libraries catalog.
2. Click “Request Item” in the catalog record (near the lower right section of the catalog record) for each book, manuscript collection, or other item to be copied.
3. If you are not already logged in to SCRS using your LSU or guest ID, follow the screen prompts. First-time users will be asked to fill out a registration form.
4. Select the “Switch to Duplication Order Form” button in the top right corner of the “New Request” form that automatically appears.
5. Provide additional, specific details about your order in the appropriate fields. Additional information (e.g., box numbers, folder numbers, etc.) is usually needed for duplication orders of manuscript collections. Consult collections' catalog records and finding aids to find this additional information.
6. Once your order is submitted, it will be reviewed by Special Collections staff. You will then receive an order invoice via email including payment instructions, typically within 24-48 hours of submission (with the exception of weekends and holidays).  

Note: Duplication requests are not accepted over the phone. If you need assistance using the online account or have questions about the materials to be copied, please contact us using our reference form. 

Alternately, subject to library approval and guidelines, researchers may duplicate select materials themselves. A book scanner and a photocopier are available in the Reading Room and may be used with permission for published materials only. We also permit self-service photography, with the completion of a Camera Use Policy form in the reading room.

All copies of the LSU Libraries Special Collections materials created by patrons or provided by Special Collections fall under allowances provided by Section 107 (Fair Use) and Section 108 (Library and Archives exemptions) of the United States Copyright Act. 

While Louisiana State University owns the objects in Special Collections, LSU does not own copyright to these materials, except where it has been explicitly transferred. The LSU Libraries does not hold any copyrights. Special Collections is unable to conduct copyright searches and cannot counsel users in the application of copyright law.

It is the responsibility of individual users to determine whether their proposed use of Special Collections materials is lawful and/or requires the permission of the copyright holder. Users assume all responsibility for their uses. Please note:

• The LSU Libraries does not grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material.
• Clearing any intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent), privacy, and publicity rights is the patron’s responsibility.
• Copies are provided for private study or research purposes only.
• YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS FROM AND AGAINST ALL SUITS, CLAIMS, ACTIONS AND EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF DUPLICATIONS PROVIDED BY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

Special Collections does not provide signed letters of permission or sign other permission forms.

Special Collections requires that materials be accompanied with a proper citation and/or credit line in the applicable format below:

For manuscript collections:

Name of the Manuscript Collection, Mss# [manuscript number], Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.

• “Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections” must be spelled out the first time a collection is cited. Thereafter, the abbreviation “LLMVC” may be used. Alternately, if the author provides a list of abbreviations used, “LLMVC” may be used throughout.

For University Archives:

Name of originating office followed by "Records", RG#[record group number], Louisiana State University Archives, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, LA.

• “Louisiana State University Archives” must be spelled out the first time a record group is cited. Thereafter the abbreviation “LSUA” may be used. Alternately, if the author provides a list of abbreviations used, “LSUA” may be used.

Self-service photocopying of books is allowed if condition, value, age, and/or copyright restrictions do not apply. Patrons should request permission from reference desk staff before any self-service copying takes place. If the book is at risk of damage or already in poor physical condition, other options may be used to provide copies, such as scanning or digital photography.

Price: $0.10/page

Manuscript materials: Researchers can place orders for staff-produced copies. Patrons should speak to reference desk staff for instructions. Self-service photocopying or the use of personal scanners is not permitted for manuscript materials.

Digital Collections: Low-resolution image files are available to download from the Louisiana Digital Library: http://louisianadigitallibrary.org/lsu-sc.

Price: $0.50/page for PDF scans (electronic) or photocopies (print)
Additional fee: $20 for orders of 101-200 copies; $30 for orders of 201-300 copies, $40 for orders of 301-400, etc.

Photographic materials: Researchers may order staff-produced digital scans or photographic prints. We do not allow photocopying of photographs, nor the use of personal scanners to scan photographs.

Price: $1/scan or $5 per disk for CD/DVD delivery

Price: $25 per dissertation or thesis*

Price: $10 per disk

Price: $60 for reel-to-reel (only available if negative copy is held by LSU)
$45 for PDF copy of microfilm ree

Price: $20/print (5” x 7”); $30/print (8” x 10”); $45/print (11” x 14”)

Price: $100 per hour of tape

Price: $5 per interviewee

Price: $5 per interviewee