1. Eligibility: Service will be provided to McMaster researchers only – faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students.
2. Number of researchers: The number of researchers in the reading room at one time will be limited to 2.
3. Hours of services: Monday and Wednesday, 1:30pm and 4:30pm, beginning November 16. Note: The archives will be closed to researchers 24 December 2020 - 10 January 2020 in line with the University's winter closure and other Library services.
4. By appointment only:
   • You must book an appointment from a McMaster email account at least one week in advance. Contact: archives@mcmaster.ca
   • You may make only one appointment per week.
   • In the event of a large number of access requests, further restrictions on access may be needed to ensure fairness.
   • Note: access to the Division of Archives and Research Collections in Mills Library is by stairs. If you require elevator access, please let us know when you email us.
5. Requesting material:
   • At the time of booking, you must identify the material you wish to see.
   • You are limited to seeing 6-12 archives boxes (depending on size) or 12 books (or a combination thereof). Staff will be available for research consultations by email to assist in identifying material.
   • Material stored offsite (including portions of our publishers' archives) will normally not be available for use.
   • Books that are available digitally through the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service cannot be provided in print format, as doing so would breach our agreement with HathiTrust.
   • Other material might also be unavailable because of its size or physical condition.
   • All researchers who are requesting access to an archive will be required to complete an online 'permission to access' form.
6. Researcher protocols before arriving on campus:
   • Prior to coming to campus, you are required to complete the McMaster COVID-19 Awareness Training.
     • For students, this may be found in Avenue to Learn, under Courses - COVID-19 Awareness Training.
     • For faculty, you must register for training in Mosaic and then complete the training later in Avenue to Learn.
7. Researcher protocols after arriving at the Library
   • Arrive promptly for your appointment. Appointments will be held for 30 minutes only. If you cannot come to your appointment, please let us know by email as far in advance as possible.
   • You must wear a mask or face covering during your appointment. Researchers who arrive without a mask will be directed to the pick-up window at the Campus Store for a disposable mask before being admitted to the area.
   • Access to Division of Archives and Research Collections (Mills Library)
     • Enter Mills Library through the main entrance on the first floor. Staff will confirm your appointment and direct you to the Division entrance.
     • Access to the Division is by stairs to the Lower Level. If you require elevator access, please let us know by email before your appointment so that we can make arrangements for you.
   • Your requested material will be on a book truck next to the researcher table you will be using.
   • You will have access only to material requested in advance. No other material will be retrieved for you while you are in the reading room, nor will you have access to the books housed in the reading room.
   • When you are finished using the material, return it to the book truck and leave it next to the research table.
   •  Note: a staff member will be present in the reading room during your appointment.
8. Copies of research materials:
   • If you require copies of the material you use during your appointment for later reference, your best option is to make self-service copies using your phone/camera.
   • No same day copies will be made for you by staff. In some cases, a limited copying service may be provided by staff - no more than 40 copies with a turnaround time of 2 weeks or more. Ask reading room staff for details.

To set up an appointment, please contact archives@mcmaster.ca