Using special collections


Opening hours and address
Opening hours of the Reading Room can be found in the paragraph
‘Access'.
Library card
Visitors of the Special Collections will need a library card. You can request a library card at the Lending Desk. To do so, we require you to show us valid identification papers.
In some exceptional cases the library will supply a free library card. To qualify for this free card you must submit an application form in good time. With your library card you can register yourself as a reader at the desk of the Reading Room.
How to request material
If you are intending to consult material from our special collections you will require a shelf mark. This shelf mark can be found in different catalogues and inventories:

  • For printed items you can search our Catalogue
  • For all other material you can fill in a request slip, available at the desk of the Reading Room.
  • You can order items from the Bibliotheca Thysiana at the Lending Desk (Tiele Hal). You have to consult these materials in the Special Collections Reading Room.
  • The traditional card catalogues of manuscripts, maps and portraits can be found in room 211 (second floor).

Items from the vaults are collected for users throughout the day and available within an hour after your request.
Items requested after 16.00 will be available the next morning.
After 16.30 no more material will be distributed.
Lecture rooms
To show material from the Special Collections in your courses or lectures, you can use one of the lecture rooms in the library.
You will need permission from the curator to do so. You should address your request to Special Collections. It is important to make these arrangements well in advance, and no later than one week beforehand. 

To reserve a lecture room you have to address the Secretariat.
Consultation
The special collections contain mostly precious and fragile material. Therefore no material may be removed from the Reading Room. Only pencils and computers may be used for taking notes.

  • Manuscripts: you can receive one or two manuscripts at the same time. Keep loose documents in their original order and handle one at a time.
  • Printed books: up to 8 items at a time. Please use the cushions and supports provided.
  • Maps can be consulted two at a time. It will take more time to fetch maps out of the stacks. You should therefore take a slight delay into account.
  • Drawings, prints and photographs: we can hand over one box at a time.
Facilities
Work places and equipment: There are 40 work places in the Reading Room, six of which have a network connection. You can also access the Leiden University wireless network from here. 
You will find two catalogue terminals in the Reading Room.
You can also find a microfiche and microfilm reader.