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Special Collections – Policies and Procedures

Collection Development Policy

 Rare Books Collection

Early editions in the history of science and medicine, history of ideas, philosophy, images of classical antiquity, humanist thought and related political and religious suppression, German Reformation pamphlets and popular propaganda in woodcut or other graphic arts, travel and exploration, American history with special emphasis on pre-1800 colonial imprints and newspapers, slave trade and emancipation materials to support Elbert Collection. With current emphasis on Book Studies in the curriculum, print or manuscript materials from the early modern period that document the book as material and cultural object— e.g., owners’ marks, binders’ waste, national style or other unique attributes, are sought. Textbooks, partial sets, publishers’ series, post-1800 Bibles and sermons, personal archives and papers are not usually acquired.

 Book Arts Collection

Contemporary and retrospective fine press, limited editions, and unique artists’ books in all media. Must have significant content relating to rare books and poetry collection, relevant content on cultural, political, and social themes, documentation of historical and present world affairs, high quality of craft and synthesis of materials and structure. Growing emphasis on European artists, world languages and cultures, comparative literature, women’s studies, and visual typography.

 In general, we are not acquiring blank books, decorated books, designer bindings, deluxe editions, pop-up books, or sculptural book-objects requiring gallery or wall display.

Secondary sources, such as reference and technical works to support Book Arts Lab and Book Studies are acquired as needed.

English Poetry Collection

New acquisitions build on the strength of George Herbert Palmer’s original collection in early English poetry and literature. Areas of growth are early modern novels by women, poetry in translation, limited editions from fine press publishers, writer/artist private press collaborations with original graphic art, retrospective works of the early 20th century Avant Garde art and poetry movements, such as Surrealism, German Expressionism, Futurism, Dada, and Fluxus.  

Popular literature or modern first editions are not added, unless they have special provenance, or are not present in any edition in the general collection.

Juvenile Collection

This is a relatively static collection, mainly acquired through past gifts. The Juvenile Collections is representative of 18th-20th century popular children’s literature for entertainment and useful instruction. It is not intended to be exhaustive of any one genre or author. Its primary use is for education and history courses, so that any new acquisitions must have a curricular connection. Books written from an English or American perspective on the moral, religious, and social differences of foreign cultures are of interest, especially in the 18th-19th centuries. Seeking colonial American imprints and educational games.

Reproductions 

Requests for reproduction of Special Collections materials should be directed to the Special Collections staff at: wcspecialcollections@wellelsey.edu

All requests will be processed in the order that they are received. Reproductions of Special Collections materials depend on the condition, binding, size, and format of the requested item. The Special Collections staff will evaluate the condition of the requested material for reproduction. At their discretion, the following choices of reproduction are available:

In-house reproduction services: 

  • Scanning
  • Low-resolution photography

Please note! Readers are allowed to bring a camera into the Reading Room and take their own flash-free photos.

Off-site reproduction services:

Orders for digitization of rare, valuable, and fragile Special Collections materials are filled off-campus. Cost estimates for all requests are generally available within a week following approval by Special Collections staff. The time for completion of orders varies. We are not able to accommodate orders for partial digitization of a single book or manuscript. All off-site orders must be prepaid in full.  

Please note! The following applies to all reproduction orders:

  • Reproduction fees may apply (Most orders for low-resolution images of up to 10 pages are offered free of charge)
  • Research fee: $20.00/hr after the first hour
  • Postage and handling charges apply to all orders that must be shipped
  • Courier charges apply to all orders that must be hand-delivered
  • Special Collections requires that all patrons obtaining reproductions of unpublished manuscript materials fill out and sign a manuscript examination form

Permissions

Requests for permission to publish images or text from Special Collections materials and information on the appropriate credit line are accepted via e-mail or letter and are processed in the order of their receipt. All requests should be directed to the members of the Special Collections staff.

Required information

All permission requests must specify the following information:

  • Detailed description of the image or text to be reproduced and exact citation of its source (include photocopy of the image, if available)
  • Location of the image in the upcoming publication (cover, text, etc.)
  • Author of the upcoming publication (book/article)
  • Title of the upcoming publication (book/article)
  • Publisher/Journal title
  • Intended print run (number of copies printed)
  • Intended time of publication
  • Full address of the person requesting permission

Permissions fees

Permissions fees, if any, are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Special Collections staff.  

Please note! All permissions are for one-time, non-exclusive use within the body of a specific publication. Reuse in a new edition is considered a separate use and may be subject to an additional fee, if any.

Reading Room Guidelines

  • Researchers are required to register once every fiscal year (July-June), presenting a government-issued picture ID to the staff. Upon registration, readers agree to follow the Wellesley College Special Collections Reading Room policies.
  • Researchers must log in and out at the front desk log book.
  • Researchers must follow all staff instructions.
  • Coats, bags, umbrellas, and other belongings must be placed in lockers while doing research.
  • Food and beverages are not allowed.
  • Ink is not permitted.
  • Materials must be examined in the reading room under supervision.
  • Materials must be kept on top of the table.
  • Materials must be handled carefully with clean, dry hands; staff will provide gloves as appropriate.
  • Only acid-free bookmarks may be used to mark your place in a book (available at the front desk).
  • Materials must not be exchanged with other readers.
  • Researchers must preserve the original order of materials.
  • Photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes only; permission to publish must be requested.
  • It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure any copyright permission.
  • Please mute all electronic devices, and keep conversation to a minimum.