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Using the Library

Information for readers and fellows.

Special Collections Reading Room

The Special Collections (Ahmanson) Reading Room is reserved for viewing rare materials, including rare books, manuscript collections, and visual materials.

  • Materials consulted in this reading room must be requested online through your Aeon account. Requests are retrieved according to the Materials Retrieval Schedule.
  • Up to five requests may be on hold in the reading room at a time. One request typically represents one volume or one box of materials.
  • Please use the paper provided in the reading room. Notebooks and loose-leaf papers are not permitted in the Special Collections Reading Room.
  • Digital photography is permitted as long as the device is set to silent and the flash is turned off. Tripods, copy stands, and personal scanners are prohibited. You may request higher resolution files by speaking to the reading room supervisor. 
  • Electronic devices must be set to silent. Headphones are permitted but must be kept at a low volume as to not disturb other readers.
  • Please observe all restrictions on collections, including copyright, and donor-established limitations, when using materials.

Wi-Fi Network Information

  • Network name: Reading Room Guest (Public Network)
  • No password is required.

To ensure the long-term preservation of our rare collections, the library observes the following guidelines:

Handling Guidelines

  • Before handling rare materials, wash and thoroughly dry hands, taking care not to apply sanitizing gels or lotion.
  • Keep all bound materials in a cradle during their use and photography. Cradles are provided at the circulation desk. 
  • Unbound manuscripts and visual materials must remain flat on the desk.
  • Items enclosed in a plastic sleeve must remain in the sleeve.
  • Photographs and negatives unprotected by a plastic sleeve should always be handled with nitrile gloves provided by reading room staff.
  • To turn a page, lift the top corner and gently slip your fingertips down the edge.
  • Use book weights to hold pages open. Book weights are provided at the circulation desk.
  • Avoid touching the surface of text, illustrations, or illuminations.
  • Never force open a volume with a tight binding.
  • Avoid leaning on or stacking materials.

Checkout Limit

Researchers may have at their desk:

  • Rare Books: Three volumes at a time. If folio-sized, one at a time.
  • Manuscripts: One box or one volume at a time.
  • Visual Materials: One box or one volume at a time.
  • Restricted Materials: One box or one volume at a time. 
  • Different material types cannot be consulted together (e.g. a rare book cannot be consulted alongside a manuscript).

For more details on our Handling Guidelines, please see our Terms and Conditions page. 

How to Use a Book Cradle

General Collections Reading Room

The General Collections (Rothenberg) Reading Room is a quiet study space reserved for research with general collections materials, including published books, journals, magazines, and more.

Seating is first-come, first-served. You may begin working at any open seat.

Wi-Fi Network Information

  • Network name: AtTheH Free Wifi (Public Network)
  • No password is required.

General collections materials are non-circulating and must remain within the library.

Most general collections materials are self-serve. An item's shelf location within the library is noted in its library catalog record with an ON SHELF status. Refer to the Library Map for shelf locations.

  • Materials must be checked out at the self-checkout kiosk located in the Donno Lounge or by using the Huntington Reader Services mobile app.
  • Materials may be returned to the Returns book trucks in the General Collections Reading Room and the Reader Services office.
  • Shelves are available in the General Collections Reading Room to store your checkouts; speak with the attendant for a shelf assignment.

Closed Stacks

The East, South, North Wing Basements, and Botanical Library are currently closed. Materials are noted in the library catalog as PLACE REQUEST.

  • Request materials in closed areas through your My Library account. Requests are retrieved according to the Materials Retrieval Schedule.
  • Materials that are noted in the library catalog as CHECKED OUT can also be requested through My Library.
  • Requests are delivered to the Holds Shelf in the General Collections Reading Room.

Checkout Limits

Readers and Short-term fellows may have 20 items checked out at a time, including 10 holds.

Need assistance navigating the stacks?

Sign up for a Library Tour! Tours are designed to help with wayfinding of our reading rooms, open stacks, and other facilities.

Materials Retrieval Schedule

You can request materials prior to your visit or upon arriving at the library. Requests are retrieved according to the schedule below:

Retrieval Schedule

  • Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
  • Requests submitted after the final retrieval time of the day will be retrieved at 9:00 a.m. the next business day.

Materials are typically delivered to the reading room within the hour. Requests for special collections materials can be tracked online in Aeon. Restricted materials are subject to extended delivery time.