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Library Policies

Reading Room Guidelines & General Information

The Reading Room of the Marie Louise Rosenthal Library serves as the hub for the library’s daily operations, offering reference services, computer access, entrance to the general stacks, and a quiet work environment for Museum staff, volunteers, and the general public. 

Daytime use of the Reading Room for events is discouraged unless directly related to library functions, as such activities disrupt services and limit access for users. Evening lectures, tours, and events may be scheduled with advance approval from the Library Director.

Hours & Access


Staff & Volunteers: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
General Public: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., by appointment only. For more information on visiting the Library, please see the Plan Your Library Visit page. 

Reading Room Guidelines

  • No food or drink.
  • Pencils only.
  • All coats, umbrellas, purses, book bags, briefcases, backpacks, etc. may be stored on the large table in the northwest corner of the Reading Room.
  • Please handle the library materials with care. Turn pages carefully, do not add or remove any marks; do not use paper clips or sticky-notes on any library materials; and do not lean or rest upon books or place other objects upon them. If necessary, use provided book cradles and/or weights. Staff are available to answer any questions about handling materials.
  • Library items may not leave the Museum. Public visitors must return all materials to the Reference Desk and check out with Library staff before departing from the Reading Room.
  • Please be aware that the Reading Room is under camera surveillance for the security of collections and visitors.

Use of Electronic Devices

  • Cell phones and other electronic devices must be set on silent mode when using the Reading Room.
  • Personal laptops are welcome, and an extension cord is available for power access.
  • Two desktop computers are available for research purposes. Please be considerate and limit your time if others are waiting.
  • Personal cameras may be used in accordance with the Guidelines Regarding Digital Camera Use. Use of a Digital Camera Flag is recommended when photographing materials. 

Reproductions & Copyright

While the library does not provide a photocopier for public use, a book-friendly overhead scanner is available upon request. Visitors should bring their own USB drives to save scanned materials.
Please note: Materials reproduced by photography or scanning are for research, teaching, and private study purposes only. Reproduction does not imply permission to publish. Library users are responsible for obtaining any necessary copyright permissions. The Library cannot assist in obtaining copyright permissions except for materials for which the Field Museum is the copyright holder.

Donation & Gift Policy


The Marie Louise Rosenthal Library welcomes gifts of books and other materials that enhance or develop its collections. However, because of the cost and time involved in managing donations, acceptance is based on the following criteria. The Library reserves the right to decline donations when necessary or appropriate.

Criteria for Acceptance


All donations are reviewed using the same standards applied to purchased materials. Primary considerations include:

  • Relevance to the Field Museum’s collections and research needs
  • Timeliness and scholarly quality
  • Appropriateness of content and format
  • Physical condition of the materials
  • Rarity and distribution, particularly how widely the item is held in the U.S., and especially by Illinois institutions

Preparing a Donation List


Potential donors are asked to provide:

  • Books: Author/editor, title, publisher, date
  • Journals: Title, publisher, volume, and publication dates (if applicable)

Please email library@fieldmuseum.org with a list of materials before sending or delivering materials. Unscheduled drop-offs are not accepted.

Review Process


Library staff will review all proposed donations based on the criteria above. Donors are responsible for delivering accepted materials to the Library. A Deed of Gift form can be provided by the Library upon request.

Ownership and Acknowledgment


All donated materials become the property of the Marie Louise Rosenthal Library. The Library reserves the right to use, trade, sell, donate, or discard unneeded materials at its discretion. The Library does not provide tax valuations for donated items.
Donors’ names are often included in catalog records. Please inform library staff if you prefer to remain anonymous.