Admission to the research library is free with Museum admission fee. Researchers can determine if WHM has material relevant to their project by contacting the librarian in advance.

Appointments are strongly recommended for the viewing of any archival manuscript collections, maps, and photographs.

Students at the middle school level or younger must be attended by an adult, such as a teacher or parent, and that the teacher or parent call ahead to discuss briefly the nature of the student’s project with library staff.  Professors and instructors of undergraduate and graduate classes who would like to schedule a class visit to the library should contact the librarian.

Hours:

((By appointment only)
Wednesday-Saturday  10AM-4PM

Contact Us:

P: 508.753.8278 ext. 105
F: 508.753.9070
E: library@worcesterhistory.net

To allow greater access to the library’s resources, and because many of the materials in the research collection are fragile and irreplaceable, the following policies have been established to ensure the protection of the collection for scholarly research for future generations.

Patrons of the H. Waite Hurlburt Reading Room may bring pencils (pens are prohibited) loose papers, notebook, cameras (by special permission), cell phones (silenced), personal books (which must be checked by library staff) while conducting research.

Jackets and Bags of any kind (including purses and briefcases) must be left outside the reading room.  Lockers are available for storage in the museum’s lobby. No food or drink is allowed within the H. Waite Hurlburt Reading Room at any time.

Photocopying

Photocopies are provided for research only and are made by and at the discretion of the staff.  If photocopying jeopardizes the conditions of stability of an item, the photocopy request will be denied.  Oversized, fragile or tightly bound items, and bound manuscripts cannot be photocopied.  Photocopies are limited to twenty pages per day per patron.  No publication or manuscript volume/collection may be copied in its entirety.

Rights and Reproductions

Photocopies made by the library are intended for reference purposes only and may not be reproduced or sold in any form.  All requests for photographic reproductions should consult the Rights and Reproductions page.

Research by Mail

For those unable to visit the library in person to conduct research, Library staff can still be of assistance.  For a prepaid fee, library staff will investigate and respond to questions utilizing sources available in the library and archives.  The fee includes the cost of up to 20 photocopied pages of supporting documents.  A response will be sent two-to-three weeks following the receipt of payment.  While results cannot be guaranteed, staff will make every effort to locate the information and to cite sources consulted.  It is recommended that patrons first send an e-mail clearly stating their inquiry.  Library staff will do a free preliminary 15 minute search of the library collections.  After the search is complete, staff will indicate if additional research time would be worthwhile and note potential resources and facilities that may further the endeavor.

For all reproduction requests of images of artifacts or photographs from the WHM collection, the following policies and procedures apply. Please refer to the WHM Application for Reproduction Form for more information. Any additional questions regarding reproductions of the WHM photograph collection should be referred to the librarian.  Additional questions regarding photographic reproductions of artifacts should be referred to the curator.

• Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.

• Upon WHM approval of your project, you will be sent a fee quote and any applicable reproduction contracts.

• Upon your acceptance of fees, the WHM must receive payment and a signed WHM rights and reproduction contract before photo materials are delivered.

• Requests submitted with missing information are subject to delay.

Please note that in addition to print and/or digital file fee, a separate rights fee may be applied based on the specifications of the request.