Special Collections and Archives is open to researchers and visitors from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, and by appointment, throughout the year. We observe university holidays [scroll to bottom of page]. Our gallery area is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. At other times, the gallery may be available for visits upon request to the Duke Library circulation desk supervisor.

We welcome visitors and researchers at all levels. The rare and occasionally fragile nature of our holdings necessitates the enforcement of some simple rules to ensure their protection. All readers will be asked to complete a registration form and user agreement once each academic year. 

Approved Items for Researchers in the Reading Room:

• Paper and pencils only (no pens)
• Research notes
• Laptop computers and cameras (no flash)
• Cell phones, as long as the sound is turned off

Items Prohibited in the Reading Room:

• Food and drink
• Briefcases and backpacks
• All purses and coats
• Umbrellas and shopping bags
• Portable photocopiers, scanners, and camera stands

Using Materials:

• SC&A staff will be happy to advise on the proper handling of all materials. Please feel free to ask for assistance.
• Researchers are asked to use materials from one box of materials at a time and must preserve the original arrangement of collections.
• Researchers should keep documents flat on the table and not write or take notes on top of materials. Please practice extreme care in handling.
• For some books and manuscript material, researchers are responsible for identifying and obtaining permission from the copyright holder to quote, reproduce, or otherwise use collection materials in their own published works. SC&A staff can assist in helping to determine copyright status of individual items.
• Researchers are requested to obtain permission for use and to cite collection materials if they are used in publications.
• Collection materials are generally not loaned and do not leave the department.