Access to Special Collections

Special Collections materials are available by appointment only to qualified individuals with a bona fide research need.


Appointments

Appointments to use Special Collections must be made at least seven business days in advance by using our online reservation system. When requesting an appointment, use the Academy Collections database and “My Selection” to create and submit a list of the specific files you would like to access. Advance appointments are always required; Special Collections material is not available on a walk-in basis.

The number of appointments available each day is limited. Please schedule your appointment as far in advance as possible. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please message researchrequest@oscars.org. Failure to appear and lack of prior notification will result in all materials being refiled; a new appointment will be required.

For general questions about Special Collections or if you wish to discuss your project with the Special Collections Research Archivist, please send a message to the department email at the bottom of the page.


Use and Handling of Manuscript Materials

Use of all Special Collections manuscript materials is coordinated by the Special Collections Desk. You must leave your library card at this desk whenever you are working with Special Collections materials. All such material must be viewed in the Hepburn Reading Room and may not be taken into the DeMille Reading Room. Only one folder or file of material may be used at a time. Each item must be handled with care and the materials within each folder must be kept in their original order.

Researchers may use pencil and paper, laptop computers, or tablets for note-taking. Pens are not allowed under any circumstances. Small hand-held tape recorders are allowed, as long as their use does not disturb other patrons. Scanners and digital cameras, including the use of smartphones to photograph or film Special Collections material, are not permitted. Electronic copying is available on a limited basis.


Rights and Permissions

With the exception of Academy Awards or other Academy-related materials, the Academy does not claim legal rights for publication or other types of commercial use or reproduction of materials in its holdings. The researcher is responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals regarding any information or images obtained from the library.

Although the Special Collections staff will inform you of any restrictions on a given collection and will offer general guidance relating to questions of ownership or permissions, this is in no way represented as a substitute for legal consultation or research.


contact

Special Collections Department
Margaret Herrick Library
333 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Telephone: +1 310.247.3036 ext. 2226
E-mail: specialcollections@oscars.org