ASK A QUESTION

Librarians and curators in the Beinecke Library are available to assist researchers in identifying and using materials in the Beinecke Library. Librarians are available during reading room hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Researchers are encouraged to contact curators in advance to schedule appointments.

On-site readers may wish to discuss their research needs in person with a public services librarian or curator. Off-site researchers may submit reference inquiries regarding Beinecke holdings and policies to the Public Services Department via:

• Email (beinecke.library@yale.edu)
• Telephone: (203) 432-2972
• Fax: (203) 432-4047
• Mail: P.O. Box 208240, New Haven, CT 06520-8240

Reference inquiries are answered in the order in which they are received.

Whom We Serve

The Beinecke reference staff will respond to all questions pertaining specifically to the Library's collections or policies. The full range of reference services is offered to the Yale community. The Library can not answer general reference questions that do not pertain to the Library's collection submitted by non-affiliates.

Instruction

Beinecke Loan Policy

As a matter of policy, the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, lends material for exhibition only infrequently and only to other non-commercial, academic organizations that share its educational and cultural mission. This policy has been in place for many years and is based on the Library's conviction that its collections should be available to scholars at Yale and to persons who visit Yale to pursue specialized research at the Library.

When the Library does approve a loan, it is reluctant to lend large numbers of items and will typically restrict a loan to one exhibition venue. The potential borrower is referred to the Association of College and Research Libraries' "Guidelines for Borrowing and Lending Special Collections Materials for Exhibition" for an overview of the issues and requirements relating to loans (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/borrowguide.cfm).

Those requesting loans from the Beinecke Library are asked to submit their proposals, in writing, at least one year in advance of the exhibition opening. The request, which should come from the director of the institution, must include an exact list of the requested material, a description of the planned exhibition, and a detailed facilities report, preferably in the form adopted by The American Association of Museums. Requests by guest curators should be made through the director of the borrowing institution.

The borrower will be responsible for all costs involved in the loan. A flat fee of $500 per item will cover the costs of necessary preservation treatment, preparation, appraisal, the production of a preservation copy, a detailed condition report, and packing. Insurance and shipping costs are to be covered by the borrower.

A courier appointed by the Beinecke Library will deliver the material to the borrower and retrieve it. The borrower will be responsible for the courier's travel expenses (including round-trip first-class air travel, round-trip first-class train travel or round-trip car service), a per diem for the courier, and accommodations on site for a reasonable number of days.  The courier will oversee installation of the Beinecke materials at the borrower's exhibition. For loans involving air travel, the Beinecke Library requires borrowers to employ the services of a transport and custom brokerage agency to make arrangements for the Beinecke staff courier.

The borrower will present a loan form acceptable to the Beinecke Library, to be signed and countersigned, and provide a certificate of insurance (or comparable indemnity).

The Library may at any time revoke the loan agreement and/or retrieve its materials if the borrower does not comply with the terms of the loan.

For further information:
Stephen C. Jones (stephen.jones@yale.edu)
Beinecke Library
PO Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520-8240