Guides @ UF: FLARE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: FLARE Special Collections

FLARE Special Collections

Items that are preserved in the FLARE Special Collections are rare, unique, fragile, or otherwise distinctive. All loaned special collections materials must be used in a borrowing library with a secure reading room monitored by special collections staff. As such, loan requests must be submitted via ILL by one of the libraries on the list of approved institutions with secure reading rooms. Items are not requestable via UBorrow. Libraries interested in being added to the list of approved institutions should contact SPECIAL@uflib.ufl.edu. For all other questions, please contact FLARE@uflib.ufl.edu.

FLARE Special Collections Policy

Approved Institutions List

Florida A&M University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
University of West Florida

Handling Best Practices

Special collections require special handling and security precautions to ensure their preservation. The University of Florida Department of Special & Area Studies Collections requires these best practices for using and handling special collections:

Drinks (including water), food, gum, tobacco and e-cigarettes, etc., are not permitted at the table with special collections materials
Pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and similar items are not permitted at the table with special collection materials
Handle items gently and carefully, in a manner that avoids damage and excessive wear and tear
Wash hands before handling materials.Open books slowly to protect bindings
Do not bend back the covers or pages of books
Do not write on materials
Do not place materials on scanners or photocopiers without permission from the loaning institution
Do not remove items from the special collections materials (e.g., loose pages)