Rules for the Reading Room and Map Room

You may consult special or fragile materials in the Reading Room and Map Room. To protect these materials, rules apply to the use of the rooms and the handling of the materials.

In both rooms

• Only use the rooms to view material from the Special Collections. You may not use the rooms to study. You are welcome to use the rest of the library for this purpose.
• Wash your hands before and after consulting material from the Special Collections, to protect yourself and the material.
• Report to the desk before entering the Reading Room or Map Room. Here you can collect the material you have requested for viewing.
• Coats, bags, food and drinks are not allowed inside. You can use a locker on the 6th floor. Ask for a locker key at the desk on the 6th floor.
• Please respect the silence in the rooms when others are present, do not talk and put your phone on silent so that others are not disturbed.
• You may only take notes with a pencil in a notebook or on a laptop, tablet or telephone.
• Please handle the materials with care. Library staff will supervise this. Both rooms are also equipped with video surveillance.
• Do not leave the material unattended.
• Do not press down on the material, even when taking photographs.
• Would you like to take photographs? Please ask for permission at the desk first. Never use a flash. You can borrow a camera and a special scanning tent at the desk.
• Always follow the instructions of the library staff.

In the Reading Room

• Always consult with the desk clerk about where to sit.
• Place the material on the cushions provided to protect it.
• Are you viewing material with loose pages? Never change the order of these pages.
• When you have finished viewing the material, return it to the desk.

In the Map Room

• You may take material from the open display yourself. Please ensure that you always return it to the same place. Ask a member of staff for assistance if necessary.
• Do not open the filing cabinets with plan cards or the revolving door cabinets with folded cards yourself. Only library staff are allowed to do this.
• Do not remove the cards from their protective covers.
• Have you finished viewing the material? Then place the cards at the end of the table. Do not return the material to the cabinets yourself.