Guidelines for the Use of Materials

Rules for the Use of Special Collections

NOTE: You will be required to sign a copy of these guidelines as part of the registration process.

Conditions

Reading room privileges are granted subject to the following conditions, intended to protect collections and to ensure their preservation for future researchers.

  1. Keep documents in their existing order.
  2. Photo ID must be presented.
  3. Sign in daily at the register.
  4. Only pencils (not pens), laptop computers (not cases), and cameras are allowed in the reading room. Pencils may be borrowed from the front desk.
  5. Stop for inspection on departure.

Security: The reading room and other areas are monitored to prevent theft or misuse of collections.

Permissions

Use

Access to a collection or publication may be restricted in agreement with the donor or because it is in an exhibit, or is awaiting processing or preservation.

Publishing

Researchers must secure written permission from the director of special collections to publish (including on a webpage) materials in our collections. In many cases the Seminary does not own literary or artistic rights and the researcher may have to obtain permission from other sources as well.

Special Collections

Special Collections and Archives at Wright Library comprise more than 100,000 printed works and over 5,175 linear feet of archival and manuscript material. Major collections include the Seminary archives, rare books and pamphlets, personal papers, records of organizations, research collections, and non-textual materials related to the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed traditions and ecumenical Christianity.

Particular strengths of Special Collections and Archives are its documentation of the Seminary’s history, including works by and about Seminary faculty; American Presbyterianism; English and American Puritanism; Presbyterian missions; hymnology; works by and about Reformed theologians Karl Barth and Abraham Kuyper; and the history of Presbyterians in Korea.

Search and browse the online manuscript guides as an effective first step to discovering manuscript materials that match your research interests.