Due to the rare and fragile nature of many of the materials in our collections, we request that patrons observe the following rules:
Sign-in
Please sign the visitor’s register with your name and address as you enter the department. Be sure to have your library card or a photo ID with you as you will need it to use most of the materials in our collections.
Guidelines
-
Briefcases, knapsacks, laptop cases and other bags must be checked in at the reference desk.
-
Only pencils or electronic devices are allowed for note taking. No pens please!
-
Personal photographs of our materials are allowed, but please complete a reproduction request form.
-
Eating and drinking are prohibited.
-
No talking on cell phones and please turn to vibrate.
Handling of materials
Many items are of a rare nature and are costly or irreplaceable, therefore all materials must be treated with special care. Please help us preserve our special collections for the future.
-
No materials may be removed from the department. An exception is made for microfilms, which may be taken to the Magazine and Newspaper Center for viewing/printing.
-
Do not turn opened books face down or fold down page corners.
-
Do not mark in books or trace over pictures or diagrams.
-
Do not lean or write on top of materials.
Requesting materials
-
One piece of picture identification or library card will be held at the reference desk while the materials requested are in use.
-
Most of our materials are located in closed areas.
-
Call slips, available at the reference desk, must be filled out to request materials.
-
The number of items requested at one time may be limited at the librarian's discretion.
-
Note: Some materials requested from remote storage can only be made available the next day.
Photocopies
-
Reproduction from any of our materials is at the discretion of the librarian.
-
Special restrictions may apply to many of our materials, including newspapers, manuscripts, photographs, fragile items, and oversize volumes.
-
Photocopy request forms are available at the reference desk.
-
Black and white copies are 10¢ per page; oversize (11x17) are 20¢; color copies are 40¢. There is a $1 charge for mailing copies. Payment by cash or check must be received before copies will be made. Copy orders are done at 4pm daily; orders placed after 4pm will be ready for pickup the following afternoon. Copy orders should be turned in at the reference desk at least 15 minutes before closing.
-
Patrons may make their own reproductions using their own camera equipment under certain circumstances. Patrons should complete a Photocopy Request form when photographing from textual collections, and should complete a Reproduction of Images form when copying from photograph collections. For further information on the Center’s photograph collections and reproduction of images, see the Order Images section.
Photographs
-
The Photograph Collection has restricted hours.
-
Special guidelines for use of the collection are available at the reference desk. For more information call 415-557-4567 or go to www.sfpl.org/sfphotos
Audiovisual materials
-
All reference A/V materials in the collection should be used on library equipment only, not on patron devices.
-
Only department materials can be played in our A/V room.