Using the McCracken Research Library Collections

The McCracken Research Library is a non-circulating library, in that our materials may only be accessed within the Library. The collections contain many rare, valuable, and unique items that require special security measures to assure they are available for future generations. We ask your patience and understanding in striking this sometimes difficult balance between making these materials accessible and preserving these rare and fragile items.

Availability of Materials

All Library collections are non-circulating. All materials are housed in secure, non-browsing stacks and are retrieved for users upon request, except for some reference resources on open shelves.

Archival and manuscript materials are available by appointment. General library collections, including vertical files, reference materials, and most texts, are available either by appointment or during our drop-in hours.

Use of certain collections and materials may be restricted by statute, by the office of origin, or by the donor. Researchers assume full responsibility for the use of any restricted materials. The Library reserves the right to restrict use of materials that are not processed or are in the act of being accessioned, or those of exceptional value or fragility. Some collections require curatorial approval; advanced request and approval is required to view these collections.

When You Arrive

Registration

Upon arrival at the McCracken Research Library registration is required, providing your full name, address, and phone number. All visitors are asked to register, which also includes those accompanying researchers.

Checking Your Belongings

After registering, and prior to using the Reading Room, it is required to check all personal items (including coats, jackets and sweaters) into a locker with the following exceptions: loose paper, pencils, and laptop computers. McCracken Research Library staff is not responsible for providing security for personal items left outside of designated lockers. Lockers are located in the library, and at the Security Desk in the Historical Center. When leaving, please remove all personal belongings from lockers.

Items Permitted in the Reading Room

Single sheets of paper

Only loose paper is allowed in the Reading Room, and is provided if necessary. Pages that are stapled or paper-clipped in one corner may be brought into the Reading Room. Pages stapled together in several places, e.g. along one margin similar to a book, must be separated before taken into the Reading Room.

Pencils

Only pencils may be used for notetaking and forms. No ink pens are allowed near library materials. Researchers are permitted to use their own laptop computers without cases.

Certain approved books

Books required for research from personal collections may be used in the Reading Room with staff approval. These are generally restricted to special needs, e.g. when comparing texts, or using a language dictionary. Such approval requires a form to distinguish these materials from McCracken Research Library materials, and are checked upon leaving the Research Library.

Items Not Permitted in the Reading Room

As we are a museum library, collections care is one of our primary duties. This creates certain access restrictions for researchers. Below are items not permitted within the McCracken Research Library:

Using Rare, Maunscript or Archival Materials

Photo identification and completion of a project description form may be required before viewing certain materials. The library provides gloves required for the handling of certain materials. No gloves from outside the library are permitted.

Researchers must maintain the existing order of manuscript materials within each folder. Please notify library staff if there is any confusion, concerning the order or apparent damage of any of the materials.

When leaving, please return all materials to the reference staff. If research is not complete, materials can be put on hold. Please speak with a reference librarian at the end of the day.

The image above includes early Wyoming and Montana territorial imprints, and historical reading and writing materials from the McCracken Research Library. The ink well and pen set are from the L.A. Huffman Collection. The Victor Arland letter was written from Trail Creek, Wyoming Territory in March 1882. The small green pocket diary dates from 1851, and was used by R.F. Rodan of Nevada City, California. The gold wire bifocal eyeglasses are from the Buffalo Bill Museum.