General practices

Please follow these general practices when handling any items from the collections:

• Ensure that you have clean, dry hands and avoid using hand creams, lip balms or hand sanitiser during your visit.

• Keep handling to a minimum, using weights to hold down pages and avoid directly touching ink or other media.

• Ensure items are fully supported on the table surface or a book support, with no edges hanging over the edge of the surface. Do not pick items up to read them.

• Do no lean on items or place other objects on top of them.

• Remove anything that might accidentally damage items, such as rings or watches.

• We have magnifying glasses which can be used to get a closer look.

• Follow the advice of library staff and use any preservation aids supplied to you.

We do not allow food or drink in the reading room.

You can use pencil or an electronic device for taking notes, but not pen. Please place coats and bags in the area provided.

Gloves

It is a common misconception that you must wear cotton gloves to handle archival material. In fact we will never recommend this. For most items, it is best to handle with clean dry hands. This is because gloves reduce manual dexterity and increase the risk of accidental tears. However, there are some materials that are especially vulnerable to the natural oils in skin and therefore do require gloves.

Please do wear the gloves provided when handling:

• Photographs, negatives, glass plate negatives, and slides;

• Parchment;

• Metal objects;

• Painted or gilded surfaces.

We have plenty so if gloves become dirty, please change into a new pair to avoid transferring dirt onto the collections.

Some items require extra case so below we have detailed guidance for different formats.

Documents and single sheet items

• Keep documents in the order in which you receive them.

• If an item is rolled or folded, take extra care when opening it and use weights to hold the item flat. Do not place weights directly over fold lines or damaged areas.

• If documents are attached by a treasury tag or other fastening, take extra care when turning pages. The fastened area of the page can be especially vulnerable to tears.

Bound volumes

• Use cushions or wedges to reduce strain on the spine.

• Do not open any volumes more than 120 degrees. Some tightly bound volumes cannot be opened this far.

• Use weights to hold down pages.

• Take care when turning pages. Turn pages individually or in sections; do not flick through.

Plans, artworks and maps

• Ensure there is plenty of clear space on the table surface.

• If the item is rolled or folded take extra care when opening it and ask staff for help if the item is oversized.

• Use weights around the edges of the item to hold it flat if needed. Do not place weights over the printed/drawn surface.

Photographs, negatives and slides

• Wear nitrile gloves, unless the item is protected by a transparent sleeve.

• Hold photographic prints, slides or negatives by the edges or frame; do not touch the image surface.

• Ask a member of staff before removing items from transparent sleeves.

Types, punches, blocks and other objects

• Wear nitrile gloves for handling metal objects.

• Be mindful of any sharp edges or other hazards to yourself.

• Items often appear more robust than they are, look out for damaged or weakened areas, especially hinges or other moving parts.

Thank you for helping us to look after our collections!