Reading Room

The Reading Room provides access to the University Museums and Special Collections Services which include MERL's library, archives and photographic collections and the University of Reading's other Special Collections

Admission

The Reading Room is open from 10 to 5pm on Mondays (restricted service*) and from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday.

We are open to the public. It is not necessary to make an appointment and no letter of recommendation is required, however you will be required to register on your first visit.

*From 5 October 2009, a restricted service will operate in the reading room on Mondays. Only open-shelf library materials and pre-ordered archive and rare book materials may be consulted. We strongly recommend that you contact us in advance of your visit.

Using the Reading Room

We do recommend that you contact us in advance to avoid disappointment, as the Reading Room can only accommodate up to 20 people.

Please respect other users during your visit by working quietly; conversations should be held in the Visitor Room.

You may be asked to take particular care with some items, such as fragile documents and glass negatives.

Planning your visit

We recommend that you contact us in advance of your visit with details of the documents and items that you wish to see. This allows us to have the material ready for you for when you arrive.

Use our online database and archive catalogues to gather descriptions and references of items and collections, then simply call, write in or e-mail us with the details.

See details of Reading Room facilities including photocopying and research fees, and a list of visitor facilities at MERL

Registration

Reading Room users are required to register and provide identification on the first visit.

We currently accept:

• driving license, passport,
• County Archive Research Network (CARN) card,
• debit/credit card,
• University of Reading Library or ID card,
• NUS card
• household utility bill.

MERL Rules and Procedures

When you register you will be asked to agree to abide by the following rules and procedures. These are in place to protect our collections.

• All documents and books should be handled with care and as directed by a member of staff
• Only pencils are to be used in the Reading Room
• No bags or coats are to be taken in to the Reading Room (free lockers are available)
• No item of food or drink, including chewing gum and sweets, may be taken in to the Reading Room (a Visitor Room is available)
• Smoking is not permitted
• Photocopying is at the discretion of staff
• The use of mobile phones, personal music players, and portable scanners is not permitted in the Reading Room
• Digital cameras can be used at the discretion of the staff. Visitors will be charged at a daily rate
• Readers should respect other users of the Reading Room