Series X: Registration Forms, 1949- 2013

Scope and content:

Registration forms are filled out by researchers when they first arrive at the library. These forms were originally called permission forms since the user was "apply[ing] for permission to read and to take notes" from letters and manuscripts in the collection. Users had to specify not only which materials they were interested in but also they had to state the purpose of their research, supply a local and a permanent address, enter a Columbia or other affiliation, and sign the form. Once submitted, the form recorded the library staff member who granted permission, the date, and any limitations on access. By 1972, researchers can find on the form the rules governing the use of manuscripts: permission to examine, permission to publish and permission for photographic or other reproductions (staff approval is no longer recorded on the form). In 1996 the format of the registration form is adapted in order to include space for a copy of the researcher's Columbia or government-issued ID. The University Archives started using registration card in 2005. In August 2009, all divisions in the RBML adopted the University Archives registration card and these were filed together (no longer by division). Since February 2013, all user information is entered in the Special Collections Research Account Aeon software. The registration forms are filed alphabetically by researcher's last name. The University Archives patron registration cards (and the ones used by all RBML divisions starting August 2009) are organized by registration numbers, which were assigned sequentially.

Contents

Access and use