No! Once you have made a request using our online request system, come in at your convenience. We can pull materials for you same-day.
Yes! If there are additional materials you are wanting to look at, let a Reference Assistant know. We are able to pull materials for you same-day, usually within 5-10 minutes.
Items that are allowed:
Items that are NOT allowed:
Lockers are available at no charge for Special Collections patrons.
Once you have submitted your request, one of our Reference Assistants will pull the book or manuscript you have requested from our library shelves. We may contact you via email if we have any questions regarding your request. After submitting your request, you are ready to visit L. Tom Perry Special Collections! One of our Reference Assistants will greet you and review the Reading Room Rules with you. You will put your things in a locker and take a seat in the Reading Room. A reference assistant will give you 1-4 books at a time or 1 manuscript folder/box at a time. After you have finished your reasearch, return your materials to the Reference Assistant. You are then free to go!
If you are using images, please use this credit line with the image:
Courtesy, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
For citations of manuscript collections use:
Author(s), collection title(s), MSS, UA, or FA no. including box, folder, and item number, if available, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
If reference is cited more than once, an abbreviation may be used thereafter.
Please read and agree to our Camera Use policy. Then talk to a member or the reference staff, who will give you a Digital Camera Pass to use in the Reading Room.
No, there are no scanners available for Special Collections materials.
Other options are to take digital photos adhering to our digital camera policy or pay for digital scans (see fee schedule).
We cannot scan any material that did not originate in Special Collections. Special Collections does not want to be responsible for the damage or loss of personal materials.
If you are able to come into the library, you can copy your own materials in other portions of the library.
L. Tom Perry Special Collections does not charge any use fees for publication. However, we ask researchers to add a courtesy line for Special Collections. Please also remember that in many cases, L. Tom Perry Special Collections is not the copyright holder and researchers are responsible to get permission from the corresponding copyright holder. Click here for more information.
A curator must give permission to upload documents to FamilySearch. Find their contact information here.
We are happy to accomodate group presentations. Please reach out to Gordon Daines (gordon_daines@byu.edu) to coordinate the details of your visit.
No, Special Collections does not provide tours. We do provide presentations for groups. Please contact Gordon Daines (gordon_daines@byu.edu) to coordinate a presentation time.
For rare books and other fragile materials, gloves are not recommended. Gloves reduce tactile sensitivity and increase clumsiness. Hand sanitizer is available if there is a concern about hand oils and dirt.
Cotton gloves are available for handling photographs. Hand oils will damage the image and leave fingerprints. Simply ask staff for a pair of gloves when handling photographs.
Special Collections Reference staff cannot accept donations. Please contact a curator over the collecting area of your potential donation.
The library has its own conservation department that will be able to offer their expertise. Please reach out to Christopher McAfee (801-422-3746 or chris.mcafee@byu.edu) for conservation information.