Researchers making a first visit to the library at the Massachusetts Historical Society must fill out a registration form and present a current form of photographic identification. A member of the reading room staff will explain library policies and introduce the reader to the library catalogs. The library stacks are closed to readers; except for reference works, library users must fill out call slips for all items. Research materials do not circulate and can be used only in the reading room under the supervision of library staff. Reference staff members will be available throughout the day to answer questions and assist readers with library research.

The Society seeks to make its holdings accessible to researchers while at the same time taking care to preserve fragile documents and books. Accordingly, readers must observe reading room guidelines for handling research materials. Whenever a collection is available in microcopy or other facsimile, readers must use copies instead of the originals. The Society has microfilmed many manuscript collections; you may consult a partial list of Microfilms at the online Shop.

Readers may bring only personal computers or digital cameras into the reading room. The reading room staff will provide you with pencils and colored note paper. We do not allow pens, notebooks, and folders, as well as backpacks, briefcases, bags, and outer clothing of any kind in the reading room. Free lockers are available to store personal property. The library staff must approve any additional material or equipment in advance of bringing it into the reading room.

We permit digital photography in the MHS reading room with the approval of the Reference Librarian. Advanced notice is required to photograph materials requiring special handling or lighting, and permission to do so will be granted at the discretion of the Librarian. For more information, please contact the Reference Librarian library@masshist.org, (617)646-0509.

The MHS offers free wireless internet access in the public areas of the its building, including the reading room. You will need a laptop or PDA equipped with a Wifi card supporting "WEP" encryption (most WiFi cards support this standard). The password for WiFi access changes periodically. Please see a Librarian for more information and access instructions, including the current password. Please note we do not lend WiFi cards to readers. We also can provide wired jacks on an as-needed basis.

The Massachusetts Historical Society will photocopy research materials from the collections with some restrictions. The staff will not make copies of printed materials protected by copyright, or items regardless of date that are too fragile to copy.

Researchers must fill out a photocopy request form listing all manuscript items they wish to have copied. Library staff will review the request and will photocopy materials as time permits. A limit of 20 pages per day normally applies for each reader's requests. Researchers may not photocopy materials themselves.

We do not copy materials that are available in another format (facsimiles or microfilms). If the staff is unable to complete a photocopy order during normal library hours, copies will be held for, or mailed to the researcher.

The price of all photocopies, including mail orders and paper copies made from microfilms, is $0.50 per copy. There is a minimum charge of $10.00 for all copy orders placed by email, post, or telephone. Large orders or orders that require additional staff preparation will incur an additional processing fee of $15.00 per hour. Estimates for any additional fees will be arranged in advance.

Instructions for obtaining permission to publish are available on the Rights & Reproductions web page.

The MHS has filmed all or portions of over 300 manuscript collections. There is a list of some of the collections available on microfilm.

UMI sells copies of 66 microfilm editions of MHS manuscript and research collections. To order copies of these microfilms, contact UMI directly at http://www.umi.com/hp/Support/Research/Files/107.html or (800) 521-3042. Please note that UMI does not sell individual reels of microfilm sets.

To inquire about ordering MHS microfilms not sold by UMI, contact the library at library@masshist.org.

The MHS holds duplicate positive copies of more than 100 collections filmed by the Society. When available, the MHS will loan entire small film sets or portions of large film sets for 30-day periods. All interlibrary loan requests should be directed to the senior cataloger, Mary Fabiszewski, at mfab@masshist.org.