Information for Readers

 

Collections and Reading Rooms
The Library collections are divided into three main groups: manuscripts, rare books (including all rare printed materials, such as photographs, historical prints and ephemera, printed maps, and architectural plans), and secondary materials (referred to as General Collection at The Huntington). There are also two reading rooms: the Ahmanson Reading Room and the Reference Reading Room. All manuscripts and rare printed items must be requested at the Ahmanson Reading Room desk and viewed in that area.

The General Collection, which includes monographs, serials, and microfilm, is on open shelves and may be browsed or retrieved by the reader. General books may be used in either reading room or in other public areas of the Library. They may not be removed from the Library building.

 

Computer Services
The Library allows the use of laptops, but does not permit the use of any portable imaging devices such as scanners. Readers who bring a laptop may connect directly to the internet in the Ahmanson Reading Room if their computer is configured for Ethernet connections and they provide their own Ethernet cable (standard Ethernet patch cable for an RJ45 connection). There is wireless access in the Reference Reading Room and the adjacent Readers’ Lounge.  Several computer terminals are located throughout the library for readers to access the Internet, the online catalog and other electronic databases available through The Huntington. There is no word processing software available on public terminals.

 

Interlibrary Loan Services
The Library offers readers an interlibrary loan service which may be used to procure materials from other institutions or to verify whether materials are held by libraries in the vicinity of their home or other institutions. Materials borrowed from other libraries must be used onsite and may not be removed from the Library building. Please inquire in the Reader Services Department to use this service. The Huntington does not lend library materials. 

 

Onsite Photograph and Reproduction Requests
Within the constraints of copyright law and consideration for the physical condition of the materials the Library provides reproductions in a range of formats, including digital files and prints, slides and transparencies, photocopies, and microfilm. Forms and instructions for ordering reproductions of rare materials may be found at the Ahmanson Reading Room desk. For reproductions of General Collection materials please consult the Reader Services staff. Photocopies from General Collection books may also be ordered at the Photo Services window in the Library, Monday through Friday. Only Huntington staff members may make copies of items in the collections.

 

Readers are permitted to use their own digital cameras to take a limited number of images under certain conditions. Please note that only personal digital cameras or camera phones may be used. Cameras or phones for which the flash or sounds cannot be disabled may not be used. No portable scanners or SLR cameras of any kind (including digital SLR) are allowed. Readers must obtain written permission from the Library to use their digital images in web or print publications.

 

Housing Arrangements
The Huntington is happy to assist readers who need housing by providing a list of rooms, hotels and motels, apartments, and houses for rent. For housing information, please email Juan Gomez or call 626-405-3432. The Huntington has a cafeteria open to staff and readers for lunch Monday through Saturday. 

 

Transportation 
A number of shuttle services operate vans directly from Los Angeles area airports to local destinations. The Union Station Flyaway Bus from LAX will connect to the Gold Line into Pasadena and taxis are readily available.