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Research Guidelines and Conditions of Use

Home 5 Research at Magnes 5 Research Guidelines and Conditions of Use

Please carefully read the following Guidelines and Conditions of Use, before submitting the Research Access Appointment Request form.

Thank you for your cooperation!

General Guidelines

Magnes holdings reside in two locations: the Magnes museum at 2121 Allston Way in downtown Berkeley and The Bancroft Library on the UC Berkeley campus. Inquiries and requests regarding access to Magnes holdings housed in the Bancroft Library should be directed to Bancroft Library public services staff.

Researchers are highly encouraged to explore the Magnes’s online collection resources to identify the materials they would like to view, including:

  • All research appointments will be held on-site at the Magnes at 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA. The Registrar will meet you at the entrance of the museum. 
  • The researcher must present a photo ID to confirm their identity. 
  • All researchers must wash and dry their hands prior to entering the study room. 
  • Jackets, bags, backpacks, other personal belongings, food, and drinks (including reusable water bottles and travel mugs) must be stored and kept in an area designated by the Collections staff throughout the duration of the appointment. 
  • Jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, long earrings), scarves and ties, ID badges, lanyards, and other hanging or loose articles must be removed to prevent accidental abrasions on all materials. 
  • Researchers may bring only pencils, paper or notebooks, phones, cameras, tablets, and laptop computers (as long as it is kept away from all collection materials) into the study room. 
  • Pens, wet media, and post-its are strictly prohibited in study rooms. 
  • Collections staff will be present in the study room at all times when collections materials or archival materials are present.

Object Handling and Conduct during Research

  • All collections materials and archival materials must remain in the study room at all times during the research appointment.
  • Only Collections staff will handle collections materials during appointments. 
  • Researchers may handle archival materials subject to approval from Collections staff. 
  • Researchers handling archival materials must maintain clean, dry hands throughout the appointment. 
  • Photography for research and documentation is allowed. Images of any and all materials may not be circulated, published, reproduced, or sold without written permission from the Magnes. 
  • Use of flash, external lights, tripods, and other photography equipment is strictly prohibited.
  • Researchers must maintain at least 6 inches of distance from any collections material at all times. Researchers may not point or lean over too closely to the collections materials. 
  • Researchers who notice damage to collections materials should immediately notify the Collections staff. 

When handling archival materials:

  • Researchers must work with one box at a time. 
  • Researchers may remove only one folder at a time. 
  • Researchers must use a card (provided) to mark the position of the folder in the box. 
  • Researchers must preserve the existing arrangement of archival materials within the folders and boxes. If anything appears to be misplaced, researchers should notify the Collections staff. Researchers must not rearrange materials. 
  • Materials must be laid flat on the table. Nothing may be placed on top of archival materials. Archival materials may not be placed on laps, leaned on, written on, folded, traced from, or handled in any way causing damage. 
  • Researchers who notice damage to archival materials should immediately notify Collections staff.