Library Visitor Information

For additional information, please contact the library at library_dept@mdhs.org.

Admission and Registration
Hours of Operation
Policies
Facilities
Planning Your Research
Food and Accommodations
Directions and Parking

Admission and Registration

Admission

Members of MdHS: Free

Non-members: $6.00 per day (includes access to the MdHS museum).

Frequent visitors to the library would receive better value by joining the MdHS. In addition to free admission, members receive the quarterly Maryland Historical Magazine, discounts at the MdHS Gift Shop, and other benefits. For more information please see membership.

Registration

First-time visitors to the library will be asked to complete a registration form and present current photo identification. The ID will be scanned for future reference.

All researchers are asked to sign in and out each time they visit the library.

Hours of Operation

Hours

The Library is open to the public Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library will remain open during those hours and no longer close for lunch.

Holiday Hours: The MdHS Library will be closed Friday, April 9 for Good Friday and Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day.

Exceptions

The library will be closed on the following days:

Good Friday
Independence Day
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving
December 23 (if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday) through the first week of January (for inventory)

Inclement Weather

In case of major weather events the MdHS may have an adjusted schedule. Please call 410-685-3750 after 7:00 am for weather-related hours.

Policies

Lockers and coat racks are provided for patron convenience.

Only pencils or laptops may be used for taking notes. Pencils are available at the library reception desk.

No marks may be added to or erased from any library materials.

Patrons should preserve the existing order and arrangement of all materials. Errors in filing or labeling should be reported to the staff.

Readers will be asked to use microfilm or other reproductions where such editions exist.

Children age 7 and under are not permitted in the reading rooms.

Items allowed in the reading rooms

Laptops
Cameras (flash photography prohibited)
Research materials in open folders or notebooks
Pencils
Pagers and cell phones (if kept inaudible)
Change for the copiers
Sweaters and jackets normally worn indoors

Items prohibited in the reading rooms

Purses, briefcases, computer cases, backpacks
Zippered notebooks, closed folders, envelopes
Umbrellas and outerwear
Pens, markers, lipstick, chewing gum, food, drink and other items potentially damaging to the collection
Personal copiers and digital scanners

Additional policies regarding special collections

1) Readers may request up to three boxes/collections at a time, by submitting one one request card for each collection desired.

2) Requests for retrieval will be accepted until 4:00 pm. Patrons also may email requests ahead of time to special_collections@mdhs.org.

3) Manuscripts must be placed flat on the tables, not held in hands or on lap. No object may be laid on top of materials. Note paper, note cards, and laptops must be used on the table top next to items.

4) Special collections are to be used in designated areas only. No materials are to be removed for any reason without permission of the special collections librarian.

5 ) For permission to publish, please see our Permission page.

6) For attribution the following is suggested: name of collection, collection number, Maryland Historical Society.

Due to the historical value of the library’s collections, the library is monitored by electronic surveillance and staff. Theft or defacement of collection material will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Facilities

Computers and Wireless Network

Six computer stations are provided for patron use in the reception area. Computer stations can access the MdHS web site including the online catalog and finding aids as well as several subscription databases and other digital resources.

Pages printed from a library computer station cost $0.25 per page. Copies may be picked up at the library reception desk.

A wireless network is available.

Copiers

The Walter Edgar Rhodes Reading Room:

A standard copy machine is available in Reference South. Copies are self-service and cost $0.25 per page. The copier accepts only quarters; change is available at the Special Collections desk. Please check with the reference librarian regarding the suitability of copying from pamphlets and fragile books.

Microfilm Reading Area:

There are three microfilm copiers. Copies are self-service and cost $0.75 per page. Ask at the library reference desk for assistance, if needed.

Special Collections

Patrons using the special collections may not copy materials themselves, but must make photo duplication requests of staff. Requests for photo duplication will be considered when such duplication can, in the judgment of the staff, be done without injury to the manuscript. Photo duplication will be done at the rate of $0.50 per page and may be done only by staff members. No orders will be taken after 4:00 pm. If possible, we will photocopy your order the same day; otherwise, please allow up to four weeks for copying and mailing. It is understood that the reproduction is to be made solely for your convenience in examining the manuscript; that the reproduction will not itself be reproduced; and that it will not be transferred to any other person or institution without the prior permission of the Special Collections staff.

Planning Your Research

Please begin by using the Online Catalog. The Online Catalog includes entries for all our books and microfilms as well as all processed manuscript and photograph collections, with links to finding aids when they exist.

Also helpful are the Collection Guides. These list maps, ephemera, oral histories, and genealogical manuscript collections as well as finding aids for manuscript and photograph collections. Please note that we have more than 3,000 processed manuscript and photograph collections and only about 700 finding aids; you will want to search the Online Catalog as well as the Collection Guides.

To conduct genealogical research, please see Genealogy Research for tips and resources.

Order-ahead service

To request items from special collections, E-mail your request, specifying collection and box numbers, to special_collections@mdhs.org. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice.

Food and Accommodations

Restaurants

There are a variety of restaurants in varying price ranges within walking distance of the MdHS. A restaurant listing is available at the Special Collections desk.

Lunchroom

A lunchroom is available on the first floor. The lunchroom also has vending machines with snacks and drinks.

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Events Library Museum Membership Education Publications About Giving
Library Visitor Information Collections Overview Library Catalog Programs and Services Search Library Web Pages Subject Guides Digital Resources Image Reproduction Donations and Support Research Links The Carroll Papers Finding Aides	Library Visitor Information For additional information, please contact the library at library_dept@mdhs.org. Admission and Registration Hours of Operation Policies Facilities Planning Your Research Food and Accommodations Directions and Parking Admission and Registration Admission Members of MdHS: Free Non-members: $6.00 per day (includes access to the MdHS museum). Frequent visitors to the library would receive better value by joining the MdHS. In addition to free admission, members receive the quarterly Maryland Historical Magazine, discounts at the MdHS Gift Shop, and other benefits. For more information please see membership. Registration First-time visitors to the library will be asked to complete a registration form and present current photo identification. The ID will be scanned for future reference. All researchers are asked to sign in and out each time they visit the library. Hours of Operation Hours The Library is open to the public Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library will remain open during those hours and no longer close for lunch. Holiday Hours: The MdHS Library will be closed Friday, April 9 for Good Friday and Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day. Exceptions The library will be closed on the following days: Good Friday Independence Day Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving December 23 (if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday) through the first week of January (for inventory) Inclement Weather In case of major weather events the MdHS may have an adjusted schedule. Please call 410-685-3750 after 7:00 am for weather-related hours. Policies Lockers and coat racks are provided for patron convenience. Only pencils or laptops may be used for taking notes. Pencils are available at the library reception desk. No marks may be added to or erased from any library materials. Patrons should preserve the existing order and arrangement of all materials. Errors in filing or labeling should be reported to the staff. Readers will be asked to use microfilm or other reproductions where such editions exist. Children age 7 and under are not permitted in the reading rooms. Items allowed in the reading rooms Laptops Cameras (flash photography prohibited) Research materials in open folders or notebooks Pencils Pagers and cell phones (if kept inaudible) Change for the copiers Sweaters and jackets normally worn indoors Items prohibited in the reading rooms Purses, briefcases, computer cases, backpacks Zippered notebooks, closed folders, envelopes Umbrellas and outerwear Pens, markers, lipstick, chewing gum, food, drink and other items potentially damaging to the collection Personal copiers and digital scanners Additional policies regarding special collections 1) Readers may request up to three boxes/collections at a time, by submitting one one request card for each collection desired. 2) Requests for retrieval will be accepted until 4:00 pm. Patrons also may email requests ahead of time to special_collections@mdhs.org. 3) Manuscripts must be placed flat on the tables, not held in hands or on lap. No object may be laid on top of materials. Note paper, note cards, and laptops must be used on the table top next to items. 4) Special collections are to be used in designated areas only. No materials are to be removed for any reason without permission of the special collections librarian. 5 ) For permission to publish, please see our Permission page. 6) For attribution the following is suggested: name of collection, collection number, Maryland Historical Society. Due to the historical value of the library’s collections, the library is monitored by electronic surveillance and staff. Theft or defacement of collection material will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Facilities Computers and Wireless Network Six computer stations are provided for patron use in the reception area. Computer stations can access the MdHS web site including the online catalog and finding aids as well as several subscription databases and other digital resources. Pages printed from a library computer station cost $0.25 per page. Copies may be picked up at the library reception desk. A wireless network is available. Copiers The Walter Edgar Rhodes Reading Room: A standard copy machine is available in Reference South. Copies are self-service and cost $0.25 per page. The copier accepts only quarters; change is available at the Special Collections desk. Please check with the reference librarian regarding the suitability of copying from pamphlets and fragile books. Microfilm Reading Area: There are three microfilm copiers. Copies are self-service and cost $0.75 per page. Ask at the library reference desk for assistance, if needed. Special Collections Patrons using the special collections may not copy materials themselves, but must make photo duplication requests of staff. Requests for photo duplication will be considered when such duplication can, in the judgment of the staff, be done without injury to the manuscript. Photo duplication will be done at the rate of $0.50 per page and may be done only by staff members. No orders will be taken after 4:00 pm. If possible, we will photocopy your order the same day; otherwise, please allow up to four weeks for copying and mailing. It is understood that the reproduction is to be made solely for your convenience in examining the manuscript; that the reproduction will not itself be reproduced; and that it will not be transferred to any other person or institution without the prior permission of the Special Collections staff. Planning Your Research Please begin by using the Online Catalog. The Online Catalog includes entries for all our books and microfilms as well as all processed manuscript and photograph collections, with links to finding aids when they exist. Also helpful are the Collection Guides. These list maps, ephemera, oral histories, and genealogical manuscript collections as well as finding aids for manuscript and photograph collections. Please note that we have more than 3,000 processed manuscript and photograph collections and only about 700 finding aids; you will want to search the Online Catalog as well as the Collection Guides. To conduct genealogical research, please see Genealogy Research for tips and resources. Order-ahead service To request items from special collections, E-mail your request, specifying collection and box numbers, to special_collections@mdhs.org. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Food and Accommodations Restaurants There are a variety of restaurants in varying price ranges within walking distance of the MdHS. A restaurant listing is available at the Special Collections desk. Lunchroom A lunchroom is available on the first floor. The lunchroom also has vending machines with snacks and drinks. top of page

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