The History of Medicine Collections are open to all visitors and researchers.

Because many of our materials are rare and fragile, we ask patrons to take extra care in handling them, and to follow a few simple rules. If you have any questions regarding these rules, Library staff are available to assist you.

• NO food or drink (this includes water, chewing gum, candy, and mints).
• Pencils ONLY.
• Registration is required. A picture ID, preferably a driver's license, will be requested from non-Duke users and held at the Reading Room desk for the duration locked collection materials are in use.
• Anything brought into the room may be subject to search upon exit.
• Materials from the locked collections, as well as reference materials, do not circulate.
• Laptop computers, sound devices, and calculators are permitted as long as their use does not disturb others. Permission to use cameras must be requested from the Curator.
• Photoreproduction (link to under Services) of locked materials is permitted on a case by case basis.
• Permission to publish materials from the History of Medicine Collections requires the reader to complete and sign a legally binding document. In some instances, a fee may be charged.
• The reader assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws governing any literary property rights that may be involved with the use of materials from the collections.

Complete Set of Policies