Special Collections Usage Guidelines

• Rare books and archives are available for the following purposes only: (a) for research, when no reprint or digital version of the work is available, or (b) when a reprint will not adequately provide the information needed.
  
  
• Researchers must make an advance appointment. Access to the collection is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. weekdays.
  
  
• Researchers must have specific citations to materials. Access is limited to five books or one archival collection at a time.
  
  
• Researchers must follow all handling guidelines provided by the Technical Services Department. Access to certain materials may be denied due to their fragile condition or restrictions placed on the collection.
  
  
• Researchers must use materials in the Technical Services Department. Material may never leave this area.*
  
  
• Materials may not be photocopied but, with permission, non-flash photography is permitted for research purposes.
  
  
• Only pencils are allowed when working with Special Collections materials.
  
  
• Food and drink are not allowed in areas where these materials are used.
  
  
• Each day before 3:45 p.m., materials must be returned directly to a Technical Services staff member.
  
  
• Any exceptions to these policies must be made by the Director of the Law Library.

Access to Wolf Law Library Special Collections by appointment only. For more information, please contact [[lktesar, Linda Tesar]] regarding rare book collections or [[kathryn.monk, Kathryn Monk]] regarding archival collections. 

*With advance notice, William & Mary Law School professors may request a member of the Technical Services Department bring materials from Special Collections for classroom use. The library may also facilitate instruction using Special Collections in the Technical Services Workroom.

Last revised: June 2026