What To Expect in the Reading Room
RBML Reading Rooms will be open by advance appointment only to external visitors and current Columbia students, faculty, and staff whose individual research requires consulting RBML materials.
Request materials & Make an appointment
If you will be delayed or need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, email rbml@library.columbia.edu or call (212)854-5590 during our open hours.
If you are feeling unwell, please stay home and contact us to reschedule your appointment for another time.
We reserve the right to cancel the remainder of your appointment if you are over 30 minutes late.
If circumstances require library staff to cancel appointments for any reason, users will be contacted by email as promptly as possible.
Before you arrive, carefully read all appointment confirmation and campus access emails and follow instructions provided by staff.
Please check Columbia’s Public Safety page for campus alerts or access restrictions, as well as information related to accessing campus during inclement weather.
Once on campus, visitors must check in for each appointment at the Library Information Office in Butler Library during business hours with government-issued ID.
After entering Butler Library, follow the hallway to the left and take the East elevator or stairs to the 6th floor. Look for the double glass doors at the entrance to the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Prior to entering the Reading Room, please wash your hands at one of the restrooms near the elevators.
Upon your first visit, you will need to validate your account in-person with government issued photo identification or valid Columbia ID. We will take your photo for security purposes.
Pencils, laptops, tablets and digital cameras are permitted. Note paper will be provided.
Personal belongings including outerwear, backpacks, purses, briefcases, computer cases/sleeves, camera bags, parcels, envelopes, and portfolio folders are not permitted at reading room tables.
A locker and key will be provided for you to securely store your personal belongings.
Reading Room temperatures are low to protect collection materials. Outerwear may not be worn but you may consider dressing in layers for comfort.
Food and beverages are not permitted.
Refrain from using strong perfumes or colognes.
Please mute electronic devices and keep conversations to a minimum.
When you enter the Reading Room, check in with the Reading Room manager and indicate which of your requested item(s) you would like to see first. Please maintain a safe distance from staff and other users and follow the Reading Room manager’s instructions at all times.
Access may be limited under the following conditions: when papers are being processed; a result of donor-imposed restrictions; or when their physical condition warrants restricted use. In cases of collections in process, staff will work with you to facilitate access wherever possible.
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.
RBML cannot provide access to original time-based media material which has not been first been reformatted for preservation. Researchers are welcome to examine archival time-based media items and decide whether you wish to place an order for Audio/Video reformatting.
When using archival and manuscript material, please handle materials carefully. Remove only one folder at a time, keep all archival materials in their original order and place all materials flat on the table.
When using books or bound volumes, cradles and book weights will be provided for you.
Gloves are required when handling photographs, film, slides, or metal objects.
Care & Handling: Bound Volumes
Care & Handling: Manuscripts
Care & Handling: Medieval Manuscripts
Care & Handling: Unprocessed Collections
Please plan to utilize your appointment time efficiently. We highly recommend using a camera, phone or tablet to capture reference images that can be studied more closely outside the library. Non-flash photography is allowed for personal research purposes, within the limits of U.S. copyright law and provided it will not damage collection materials.
Phone stands are provided for efficiently taking reference images
Please silence your camera, phone, and other electronic devices
Personal copiers, flatbed scanners, tripods & additional lighting are not permitted.
When your appointment is finished, check out with the Reading Room manager and follow their instructions.
All materials must be returned to the Reading Room manager before leaving the Reading Room. Arrangements for future use may be made at this time.
Any personal materials, including laptops, which were brought into the Reading Room will be inspected by a staff member before you leave.
We reserve the right to search any notes or personal belongings at any time.