APA Library and Archives Services

I.  Circulation of Library Materials
II.  Visiting the Archives
III.  Collections Use Policy
IV.  Reproduction and Duplication Services
V.  Policy Governing Use of Reproductions

I. Circulation

• Circulation of Library Materials is restricted to APA staff.
• A 24 hour advance notice is required to visit the Archives and Classic Books Collection.
• APA staff can borrow books for a period of 30 days; reference titles can be borrowed for 24 hours only.
• Journals, archival materials and classic books are available only in the reading area.
• Journal articles can be copied or printed from E-resources.
• Renewals are possible only for books from the circulating on which a hold has not been placed.

II. Visiting the Archives

Please notify the Archives Staff at least 24 hours before your visit and include a description of the materials you would like to view.  The archivists can be reached at (202) 336-5645 or (202) 336-5640.

Space is reserved in the Arthur W. Melton Library for use of archival materials. Hours are 9:00-4:30 Monday through Friday. We are closed for Federal holidays. Because of staffing and resource constraints, we cannot accommodate visits for browsing only.

Visitors may access the Archival collections free of charge. For visitors who are non-APA members, a fee of $0.25 per page will be charged for use of the library's copier and printer.

III. Collections Use Policy

APA Reference Services maintains non-circulating book and non-book materials. All materials must be used in the Reading Room.  A considerable part of the APA Archival Collections is located on the 12th Floor and will require additional time for retrieval. Please call to inquire about availability.

Rules Governing Use of Materials in the APA Archival Collections

All researchers must agree to the following rules before using materials.  Failure to obey these rules may result in denial of use of the collections.

Registration

• All researchers will register, providing a name and contact information.  A valid photo ID is required to verify identity.
• All users must sign a copy of our Collections Use Policy, to be provided by the archives staff.  Signing this document constitutes an agreement to obey all rules.

General Rules

• No food or drinks of any kind are allowed within the APA Archival Collections working area or the reading room.
• Coats and bags of any kind are to be left at the Front Desk. They are not allowed near the reading area.
• Only pencils will be used when in the presence of Archival Collections materials.
• Materials may not be removed from the public area of the Archival Collections except by Library & Archives staff.
• Talking, including the use of cell phones, is prohibited in the reading room.

Handling of books

• Books in protective slips should be completely removed from the slip before use.
• The spines of books should always be kept flat on the table - never propped on anything.
• Books with brittle spines should be reported to the Librarian before use. (Some books cannot be opened all the way.)

Handling of manuscript materials

• Manuscript boxes should be kept on a cart close to the reading table.  A researcher should only have one box on his/her table at a time.
• Folders should be removed from boxes one at a time.  They should be replaced with dividers to make sure they stay in order.
• Pages that a researcher would like to mark (for photocopying, etc.) can be marked with paper strips available from the registration desk.

IV. Reproduction and Duplication Services

All reproductions of APA Archival materials are performed by the Reference Services staff. We can photocopy or digitally scan most collection material. Please be aware that some collection material may be too fragile to reproduce. Other collection material may be subject to copyright restrictions. Although staff will make every effort to ensure that copyright law is obeyed, it is the patron’s responsibility to ensure that copyright restrictions are observed. Because staff and facilities are limited, it may not be possible to provide immediate copying service, especially if large numbers of copies are requested. At the discretion of the staff, orders will be taken for later pick-up or delivery.

• Requests for reproductions must be approved by the Reference Services staff. Permission may be denied due to copyright restrictions or the condition of the materials.
• In general, reproductions of materials will be handled by the Reference Services staff. However, researchers are allowed to take images of materials using digital, video or film cameras, as long as no flash or other extra lighting is used. APA Reference Services reserves to the right to regulate or prohibit researchers' photography in order to protect materials.
• Pages that a researcher would like to mark (for photocopying, etc.) can be marked with acid-free paper strips kept at the registration desk.  Pages should not be folded, turned, or taken out of order.   Under no circumstances should Post-it notes, paper clips, or anything else be attached to materials.

Reference and Instruction Services are mainly for the staff of APA headquarters in Washington, DC. APA Members and Division officers are welcome with any questions about APA history and the APA Archives.

Permission to reproduce materials owned by APA archives should be referred to the APA archives staff.

Document Delivery—The Archives and Library provide photocopies of Archival materials, APA Journal Articles and book chapters that are not among the full-text collections in PsycNet. Please check availability through one of the APA Electronic Products at www.apa.org/databases prior to contacting Library staff. The library has a small collection of other journals and books in psychology. The turnaround time for such requests is 24 hours.

The fee schedule for reproduction services is shown below. Prices are subject to change without prior notice Please consult with APA Reference Services staff for more information.

For large orders, a partial payment of 50% will be required in advance. Staff will provide the researcher with an estimate of costs. Once the order has been submitted, the patron will be invoiced for the remainder of the order. Once payment has been received, the order will be released to the patron or shipped, as arranged.

V.  Policy Governing Use of Reproductions
Copyright and fair use: Use of manuscripts and published materials is subject to the provisions of the copyright law. Laws against libel and invasion of privacy may also apply. Patrons assume full responsibility for any legal questions that may arise as the result of their use of materials in the collections.  

To cite unpublished materials: Please provide the title and date of item, catalog number (if applicable it will be found written on the box and folder), name of the collection and name of the repository. Example:

Preliminary Report to the President From the President's Commission on Mental Health, 1981, 300-301-13-100, Papers and Files of George Albee, PhD. APA Archives, American Psychological Association