Reference Policy and Protocol at The W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library

The W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library is committed to providing the best possible service and information to all its patrons.

External Requests: As part of our committment to service, it is our policy that we are available to answer reference requests via email or telephone that pertain to the collections within our repository. It should be noted that we cannot take on research for individuals, as we do not have the staffing to take on extensive work. The Hoole Library is open to the public and researchers are encouraged to visit our library.

Reference requests are preferred to received either via e-mail or sent via U.S. mail. Reference requests can be sent by e-mail to Archives [1] [archives@bama.ua.edu], or mailed to:

The W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, attn: Reference request

Box 870266, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266 USA.

We will take questions over the telephone at our main number, at 205.348.0500 and ask that you provide us with contact information, your affiliation (if any) with The University of Alabama, and a detailed explanation of your question and this will be relayed to a member of the reference staff.

Questions that are deemed "research" by the curators and require more time or effort than we can reasonably make, will be declined. There will be times that we can help facilitate a request, but it will require the person asking the question, or their designate, to visit the library. Depending on the nature of the request, we may be able to provide you with a short list of independent researchers for your consideration. All reference requests are at the discretion of the curators.

We respond to reference requests in the order that they are received. Please keep in mind that we receive numerous requests and we have limited staffing who work in this area. We appreciate your patience.

Using the Reading Room:

To use the collections and to be admitted to the Gandrud Reading room, all visitors are required to:

Please check in with the person at the front desk and fill out our guest register completely.
Place all personal belongings in the lockers provided. No bags, purses, briefcases or laptop cases are allowed in the reading room at any time.
Paper, pencils and gloves are provided at the reading room desk. Please note that pens are not permitted in the reading room.
Request forms should be filled out completely before materials are retrieved.
If you would like to use your laptop, please request permission with the reference librarian. We have two laptops available for patron use. Please check with librarian.
Food and drinks are not permitted. Cell phones should be placed in the silent or vibrate position. Please do not take calls in the reading room out of respect to other patrons.
We ask that you handle all materials with care and consideration. You may be asked to use gloves depending on the nature of the materials you are using.
Visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to use the collections

Photocopying and digital imaging services are available for a fee. Information is accessible here [2]. Reproduction for research purposes is permitted, and we reserve the right to decline photocopying, photographic reproduction, and digitization orders due to copyright, confidentiality, or condition. Questions about this policy can be sent to archives@bama.ua.edu [3]

Hoole Library Reference Service Policy Updated October, 2010