1. About Us
  2. Services and Policies

Services and Policies

Reading Room Environment

Our offices are accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities. We have bathroom facilities available for all gender identities. There is a water fountain directly outside of our office, and we are happy to share recommendations for food and drink in our neighborhood.

Our reading room can be cold, and we do not have direct control over its temperature. We recommend that researchers wear or bring layers for their visit.

There is not an expectation of silence in our reading room. We will ask researchers to be respectful of one another, and to share the space in a way that is not disruptive to other researchers. We also know that some researchers will need or require quiet for their work. If researchers or staff need or want to have extended conversation, the Archives staff will find space to accommodate that conversation.

If you need any other accommodations to ensure you have a positive visit to the Archives, please let us know.

Hours of Operation and Location

The Barnard Archives and Special Collections are located room 423 of the Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning. We are open Monday through Friday, 10:30 am-5:30 pm.

Please contact us at archives@barnard.edu a week in advance of any planned visits to the Archives, including in your message the collection and boxes you want to use. A full list of our collections is available here: https://archives.barnard.edu/finding-materials/collections-list. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance selecting materials to request or planning your visit to the Archives. ​

Copying and Reproduction

Photocopy Requests

All photocopy requests are handled by Archives staff.  Photocopies are made for research purposes only, and only if the material is strong enough to withstand the reproduction process. The Archives does not reproduce entire collections or folders. 

Digital Imaging Requests

Digital reproductions of photographs and paper documents are available from Archives staff on a case-by-case basis, provided the archival material may be safely scanned or photographed. We do not offer design or print services in-house. All scans are provided as TIFF, JPG, or PDF files. There is no fee for scanning or photography.
 

Please allow two to three weeks for all digital reproductions of archival material. Rush orders may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Barnard Archives and Special Collections reserves the right to decline to reproduce material, or to limit the amount of material that can safely be digitized.

Digitization of Audio-Visual Materials

Audio-visual archival materials are considered for digitization on an individual basis. In the case that materials must be sent to a third-party vendor for digitization, patrons are responsible for all costs incurred. The Archives will be responsible for finding digitization vendors.

Use of Digital Cameras and Laptops

Patrons may use digital cameras (including phone cameras) in the Archives; we also have a self-scanner available for use. We welcome you to use your laptops, tablets, and their chargers in our reading room.

Copyright and Fair Use Statement

The Barnard Archives and Special Collections is the physical rights holder of all material held within the Archives. The Archives provides researchers access to material for educational and scholarly purposes. The Barnard Archives and Special Collections does not hold the copyrights to all materials held in the Archives. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law (Title 108), libraries and archives are authorized to furnish these specified conditions: that the reproduction not be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a patron uses a reproduction in excess of fair use as stated by Title 17, without first obtaining written permission from the Barnard Archives and Special Collections, that patron may be liable for copyright infringement. Patrons agree to hold the Barnard Archives and Special Collections without blame for any violation of copyright law, invasion of privacy, or any other improper or illegal use that may arise from the use of reproductions. Requests for commercial endeavors will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. It is entirely the responsibility of the patron to obtain permission from the copyright holder.

Zine Reproductions

“Reproducing/reprinting all or any part of this zine without prior consent will be considered utterly disrespectful and generally uncool.” Aqsa Zine #4 Ancestors + Descendents. Sept. 2011. Print.

Researchers may scan, photograph, or otherwise reproduce zine text and images for their own use. Researchers may not publish zine images or substantial amounts of text in print, on the web, or in any public format, without making every effort to secure permission from the zine creator. If the zine creator is deceased or difficult for the researcher and zine librarian to locate, discuss other options with the zine librarian..

All zines are protected by copyright unless they contain an anti-copyright statement.

Read and contribute other special zine copyright/fair use statements on the Zine Libraries website.

Confidentiality and Privacy

The Barnard Archives and Special Collections is dedicated to providing equitable service to all researchers and access to all of its holdings to the fullest extent possible. In some cases, where personal privacy and institutional proprietary rights apply, there may be restrictions to access. Barnard Archives and Special Collections recognizes the rights of faculty, students, alumnae, and private donors to impose reasonable restrictions to protect privacy. The Archives does not make available student records, health records, or other restricted records.

Researcher Responsibilities 

Researchers are asked to adhere to the following guidelines when working with materials in the Barnard Archives and Special Collections:
  • Archival materials can be viewed only when Archives staff are present.
  • Archival materials can be used in the reading room. Archival materials do not circulate. They must remain within the Archives.
  • Researchers can place their personal items - bags, jackets, etc. - on the shelving or coat rack we provide for their personal belongings.
  • We ask that researchers set aside any food or liquid while they work with the collections.
  • Please keep all archival materials in the original order in which they are found. To assist with this, we ask that researchers look at one folder at a time.

Citing Archives Materials

Please cite print archival materials using the following format: Identification of Specific Item; Date (if known); Collection number - Collection name, inclusive dates; Box and Folder; Barnard Archives and Special Collections, Barnard Library, Barnard College.

Please cite photographic or A/V archival materials using the following format: Subject; Location/Description; Date (if known); Collection number - Collection name, inclusive dates (if applicable); Barnard Archives and Special Collections, Barnard Library, Barnard College

Captions for archival photographs should read "Courtesy of the Barnard Archives and Special Collections."

These citation formats can be modified for specific bibliographic styles or publishers' preferences; please contact us if you have any questions.

Collection Development Policy

The Barnard Archives Collection Development Policy governs what the Barnard Archives and Special Collections acquires, preserves, and makes accessible. The Collection Development Policy is available here. 

We strive to be accommodating to our patrons. If you have questions about any of our services or policies, please contact us at archives@barnard.edu.