SEARCH ROOM RULES
The Search Room is provided for users wishing to consult closed stack,
non-circulating, documentary materials held by the collections.
Researchers desiring to examine these materials must complete Researcher
Registration and User Request forms and agree to observe
the following rules governing access and use.
ACCESS POLICY:
The Archives Unit endeavors to make its holdings available to
researchers on equal terms of access.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS:
Access to certain materials may be restricted by statute, by the
originating office, or by the donor. In addition, access to materials
which are not arranged, are being processed, or are fragile or very
valuable may be restricted. Researchers may be required to use suitable
copies in lieu of originals.
RESEARCHER REGISTRATION:
1. Sign the researcher register for each visit.
2. Deposit coats, briefcases, purses, books and other
articles with the attendent. Only paper and pencils may be taken to a
reading table. The library reserves the right to inspect all
articles used at the reading table.
3. Complete a Researcher Registration form to establish
identity and researcher status.
OBTAINING MATERIALS:
1. Complete a User Request form to facilitate retrieval of
materials from the stacks and to establish purpose and responsibility
for use. Only one container will be issued at a time. The researcher is
responsible for returning materials to the Search Room attendant or a
staff member for checking and reshelving.
2. Materials do not circulate and must be examined in the Search Room.
NMSU units, however, may request the temporary return of their records
for administrative purposes.
CARE OF MATERIALS:
The researcher is responsible for the safe handling of any material
made available to her/him. Researchers should use pencils to record
notes; the use of any kind of pen is not permitted. Researchers may
use a personal typewriter, computer, or tape recorder for note taking
purposes, provided their use does not disturb others.
Materials may not be written on, leaned on, folded, traced, or
handled in any way likely to damage them. Do not add or erase marks on
papers. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT AND
FILING SEQUENCE OF UNBOUND MATERIAL BE PRESERVED; please report any
apparent disorder. Careless handling may result in denial of Search
Room privileges. Mutilation, destruction, and theft of materials are
subject to prosecution.
Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited in the Search Room.
DUPLICATION, COPYRIGHT, CITATION, AND PUBLICATION:
A duplicate copy service at a nominal fee is available for the
researcher's convenience. Request forms are available at the
attendant's desk. Some items cannot be copied due to physical condition
or special restrictions, which shall be determined by the Archives
staff.
Permission to examine materials is NOT an authorization to
publish them. Permission to publish unpublished documents or published
works must be obtained from the holder of the copyright. The RGHC and
Archives staff may be able to provide information on the status of
copyright for the holdings. Materials must be properly cited and
credited in publications or other presentations. Consult an archives
staff member for prefered citations.
In the event that this research is published, please notify the Rio
Grande Historical Collections and provide bibliographic information on
the publication. Gifts of published works making substantial use of
NMSU's holdings are appreciated.
Return to ContentsPlease send questions and comments to:
archives@lib.nmsu.edu 
Archives and Special Collections,
NMSU Library MSC 3475
P.O. Box 30006, Las Cruces, NM 88003-0006