Visiting the Napier Reading Room

If you wish to view special collections materials in person, you can do this by booking an appointment to visit the Napier Reading Room. Once you have found the items you want on the search systems, book a date and time. All University staff and students as well as members of the public can make an appointment.

Due to conservation restrictions, original negatives, glass plates, slides, and transparencies are no longer accessible. Any images you wish to see which are not available due to conservation restrictions, will be placed in priority order to be digitised and made available within the digital .

Visiting the Napier Reading Room

To view items in person, find what you want to see on Special Collections search and then book an appointment to visit the Napier Reading Room.

Before visiting the reading room, please ensure you have booked the items you wish to view and have had a confirmation email from Special Collections that the items will be available on your chosen day.

If this is your first visit, you will need to register with Special Collections when you arrive. You will be asked to fill in a short form and bring photographic ID with you.

Please be aware that you will need to leave bags and jackets in a locker. Lockers can be found just outside the reading room. You can bring your laptop and pencils into the reading room, but no pens or food and drink.
- Take care of the materials you consult and please make sure that you do not mark them in any way or use sticky notes.
- Please remove nail polish and avoid using hand creams.
- You may be asked to wear gloves before handling items.
- So that materials are protected and not forced open, book rests, cushions and weights are available for you to use.
- You are responsible for all the materials you consult until they are checked back in.
These regulations help to ensure material is preserved in good condition.
- 12 desk spaces
- plug sockets
- a microfilm and microfiche reader and printer
- lockers
- toilet facilities.
The Napier Reading Room is a temperature-controlled environment and therefore may feel quite cool.
Please ask staff before taking any photographs in the reading room. Photography is usually allowed, on condition that:
- Copyright is not infringed and there are no restrictions on the use of the materials; this responsibility rests with you.
- Photographs are for your private study or research only and must not be further reproduced for sale or publication or given or sold to any third party.
- Cameras are in 'silent' mode and other users are not disturbed.
- No flash photography in any circumstances.
- Documents and books are not damaged in any way.

Visiting the Napier Reading Room

Visiting the Napier Reading Room

Before you visit

How to find us

Handling materials

Facilities

Taking photographs