About AAS > Visiting AAS

Using the Library

Librarians at the American Antiquarian Society have been working since 1812 to acquire materials important for the study of American history. Because many of these materials are fragile and irreplaceable, we have established policies and procedures to ensure that these collections will be available for scholarly research for future generations.

• The library is open, free of charge, to experienced researchers who are working on projects that require use of the collections. No appointment is necessary.
• New readers must complete an application describing their research project and must have available two forms of identification (one bearing a photo, e.g., a driver's license or passport).
• Undergraduate students must present a letter of introduction from a professor or project advisor. High school students generally do not need to use the library, but if one does show a genuine need and is approved, a parent or a teacher must accompany him or her.
• As part of their orientations to the library, all new readers meet with a senior staff member to discuss their research interests and to review reading room policies.
• Coat racks and lockers are provided near the main entrance for outerwear, personal books, bags, and parcels. No briefcases or purses may be brought into the reading room. Electrical outlets are available in the reading room for laptops. A public telephone is available for local calls. Readers may bring lunches to the Goddard-Daniels House, located across the street at 190 Salisbury Street.
• Because all stack areas are closed, readers must request items by using call slips after consulting the card and online catalogs. Materials are paged for readers and brought to their desks in the reading room. Only pencils may be used in the library. Readers may bring in loose-leaf notes or a notebook, as well as a laptop computer. Readers are responsible for the use and return of materials they have requested and may not lend or exchange them with other readers. All Society research materials must be returned to the Reference Services' desk before the reader leaves for lunch and ten minutes before closing time.
• In applying to work in the library, readers agree to abide by all the rules and procedures established by the Society. The Society reserves the right to examine all materials taken out of the reading room by readers.
• Scholars are encouraged to submit the fruits of their research pursued at the Society for possible publication by AAS. This is particularly so in the case of articles based solely on edited manuscripts or other resources from AAS collections. Inquiries should be directed to the Vice-President for Collections and Programs.
• Rights and reproductions
  Information on obtaining color prints, black and white prints, slides, transparencies, or negatives of materials in the American Antiquarian Society collection.
• Photocopying is limited.
• AAS permits readers to use their own cameras to create photographs for research purposes only. Please read the reading room photography guidelines.
• Written permission must be obtained from the curator of manuscripts to publish quotations from manuscripts; permission must be obtained from the curator of graphic arts to reproduce textual or graphic materials in facsimile.
• Readers assume all responsibility for observing the legal requirements of copyright.

Reading Room Hours

Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The library is closed on legal holidays.

Public tours of the library are available weekly.

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