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Access to Columbia University Libraries Special Collections

The special collections in the Columbia University Libraries are open to all researchers, regardless of academic affiliation. To request and use material, you must first register for a Columbia University Libraries Online Research Account. To create an account you will complete a registration form using your Web browser. You will be asked to choose a username and password for your account. Once your account is created, you may request material. The first time you use material after registration online, you will be asked to present valid government-issued photo identification and have your photo taken for our security records.
All materials are made available at the discretion of library staff. Requests may be denied based on factors such as availability; when papers are being processed; a result of donor-imposed restrictions; or when physical or environmental conditions warrant restricted use.

Reading Room Guidelines

We ask that you observe the reading room policies of each library order to ensure the integrity and security of our collections. Visit the links below for further information.

WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that use may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Data Collection and Use

We collect information about our users so that we can contact you about your research, appointments and our services. We maintain your circulation records for your own reference. We analyze circulation information in order to make informed decisions about preservation and access to our collections. In line with Columbia University Libraries' policy, we do not share your information except upon the request or consent of the library user, or pursuant to subpoena, court order, or otherwise required by law.
Your user records are stored and secured in a University approved system hosted via a secure third party vendor, called Aeon, by Atlas Systems, Inc. Atlas hosts Columbia University Libraries data but has no ownership of it and does not access the secure server without our request. Access to this data by staff is further restricted by IP addresses given permission.
If you have any questions about what data we collect and why, please contact our staff at rbml@columbia.edu.

Encountering private information in our collections

Archives and manuscripts often contain sensitive or Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This may include, but is not limited to, medical records, social security numbers, student records, personnel records, financial records, privileged communications, and other information of a highly personal nature. We make every effort to identify private or identifying material and remove or redact this information as well.
To foster and encourage ethical research practices and good judgment, we would ask you to notify library staff if you have concerns about PII encountered in the course of your research.
By pressing this button you acknowledge and agree to all of the terms and conditions above. Please pay particular attention to the copyright statement. After reading this information, you can press the "I Accept" button to continue.