Researcher Terms and Conditions

Thank you for your interest in visiting Purdue University Archives and Special Collections. All researchers who wish to use materials within Archives and Special Collections must register and adhere to the following terms and conditions.

Terms and Conditions

• Upon arrival all researchers must check-in and present a photo ID.
• Researchers under age 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Personal belongings (coats, briefcases, purses, and other items) must be stored in the lockers provided.
• Food and beverages must be consumed outside of the archives or stored in a locker.
• Researchers may bring pencils into the reading room. Pens or markers are not allowed. Loose notepaper and pencils will be provided.
• Researchers may bring laptops, personal cameras, and phones into the reading room. Bags or containers for these items must be placed in the provided lockers.
• Phones should be set to silent mode. Photographs may be taken for personal use only.
• Researchers are responsible for the proper care and handling of collections. Materials must be left in the same condition that they were received.
• Do not remove or alter the order of items. Use the provided placeholder inserts to ensure folders are returned to their original placement.
• Researchers should consult reading room staff for copying, photography, or scanning needs, or for information on publishing and citing materials. For additional information, including copyright guidance, visit https://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/conducting-research.

Regarding Sensitive Information

Collections containing material of a personal, private, or sensitive nature require additional precautions to protect the rights of individuals and institutions. It is the responsibility of the Purdue Archives to balance the researcher’s need for access with the need for confidentiality and privacy of persons and institutions whose activities are documented in the collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to use due diligence and discretion in not disseminating personal, private, or sensitive information. Therefore, as a researcher:

• I am responsible for maintaining the security, privacy, and confidentiality of all personal or sensitive information found in or taken from the collection materials.
• I will treat information I encounter that contains an implied sense of privacy with respect and care and if used in my research I will do so in a manner that is ethical and does not infringe upon individuals’ or organizations’ intellectual property rights, trade secrets, privacy, or other rights.
• Information in the collection materials will not be used to make direct or indirect contact with the individuals to whom the personal information relates.
• If, during the course of my research, I have obtained copies of collection material that include sensitive content, I will destroy these copies after they have been used for the intended research purpose.
• I understand that I am responsible for ensuring complete compliance with these terms and conditions. In the event that I become aware of a breach of any of the conditions of this agreement, I will immediately notify the Archives in writing. Contravention of the terms and conditions of this agreement may lead to the withdrawal of research privileges; the Archives may also take legal action to prevent any further disclosure of the personal information concerned. The Archives reserves the right to demand the immediate return of all records and to withdraw access to records if necessary.