Rare Books terms of use

Viewing items from Rare Books and Special Collections

Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) materials can only be viewed in the Reading Room, located on Level 1 of Fisher Library.  

For detailed instructions on requesting items, see Viewing items from special collections.

Viewing limits

• You can request to view:
  • up to 3 volumes
  • 1 box from a boxed collection
  • 1 restricted item at a time.
• RBSC items listed as restricted in the Library catalogue require a booking with a specific date and time. 
• Non-restricted items will be available for 7 business days after you receive email confirmation that they are ready to view.
• Access terms for some items may be restricted due to their rarity, value, or physical condition. 
• If you’re working in a group of two, you may view one item at a time together.
• If you are a group of three or more, please complete our group registration form.

Using the Reading Room

• Check the Reading Room opening hours before visiting.
• If it’s your first visit as a RBSC Community ID holder, bring photo identification.

Reading Room guidelines

• To keep our Rare Books and Special Collections safe, please follow these guidelines. 
• Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling RBSC materials.
• Do not lean on materials. Use the supports provided for books, and our soft weights to keep pages open.
• Do not annotate or mark any RBSC materials.
• Use only pencils for making notes on your own paper.
• No food or drink is allowed, including water, mints and chewing gum.
• Bring only essential items (such as notepads, pencils, laptop or phone) into the Reading Room. Store other personal items in the locked cabinet onsite.

Reproduction, display and use of images from Rare Books and Special Collections

For personal educational use

• You can photograph RBSC items while viewing them in the Reading Room, but do not use a flash. 
• Please include the call number in your citation or reference.
• You are responsible for complying with copyright laws.

For non-commercial use

• If you wish to reproduce any images of RBSC material for your academic publication or news outlet, you must contact us to request permission[Link to Ask Us Now]. 
• If the item is not yet digitised, or is not in the resolution or format required, you can request digitisation. You may be charged for the cost of this work.
• If your request is approved, high-resolution images will be provided to you.
• A reproduction fee may be charged, depending on the use.
• Please include the call number in your citation or reference.
• You are responsible for complying with copyright laws.

For commercial use

• If you wish to reproduce any images of RBSC material for any commercial use (such as merchandise, signs, posters, or other items for sale or promotion), you must contact us to request permission.
• If the item is not yet digitised, or is not in the resolution or format required, you can request digitisation. You will be charged for the cost of this work.
• If your request is approved, high-resolution images will be provided to you.
• A reproduction fee will be charged.
• You must include the call number in your citation or reference.
• You are responsible for complying with copyright laws.

Crediting the University of Sydney Library when using images of the RBSC materials

• All reproductions must be credited to “[call number], Rare Books and Special Collections, the University of Sydney Library" with the call number provided added, for example “Add.Ms. 58, Rare Books and Special Collections, the University of Sydney Library”