How to request collection items
Procedures for retrieving and returning items in the Reading Room
Requesting collection items requires a Folger researcher ID, which anyone may apply for. Since the Folger is a non-circulating library, researchers may not take any Folger collection items outside the Reading Room.
Procedures for requesting collection items differ according to their location within the library. The catalog record for a collection item will indicate one of three general locations: Open Stacks, Reading Room Reference, or Vault. Each location has its own use policy, summarized below.
Need help? Get in touch with us at one of the service stations in the Reading Room or online through our Ask A Librarian form.
Access differences: Open Stacks vs. Vault
Researchers can browse the Open Stacks and remove items from the shelves on their own to check out at a service desk. Vault items require researchers to place a request for each item through the catalog for Folger staff to retrieve on their behalf. These items are then brought up to the Reading Room according to a set paging schedule.
Open Stacks
Checking out and returning books
Researchers can independently browse and retrieve books in the Open Stacks, located on Deck B. (For directions, ask a Folger staff member.) To check out books for study within the Reading Room, stop by a service desk. When finished, return books to a service desk or any labeled carts; please do not return the books to the shelf.
View your checkout history in your basket at https://catalog.folger.edu when logged in with your Folger OpenAthens credentials.
Limits for holds
You may keep up to 10 Open Stacks items on hold to use during your next visit. If you haven’t used an item within 14 days, it will go back to the stacks.
Reading Room Reference
Located within the Reading Room, this section includes dictionaries, encyclopedias, facsimiles, and other frequently consulted books. Researchers can independently browse and retrieve them. Because these books are meant for quick reference use, they cannot be checked out or placed on hold.
Vault
Requesting items
The Vault is not open for browsing. Instead, researchers must request items through the catalog, and Folger staff will retrieve the items for them according to the posted paging schedule (see below). For step-by-step instructions with screenshots see How to request vault material.
Please be aware that some items have special considerations which may require several weeks of review before use. This will be noted in the access advisory note in the item catalog record.
Paging schedule
10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm
These are the set times when Folger staff members retrieve items from the Vault each day for researchers. To receive Vault items at a posted page time, you must submit your request at least an hour beforehand. Requests for the last page of the day (3:30pm) must be submitted by 2:30pm. All requests submitted after 2:30pm will be paged for the following day.
Returning items
Items must be turned into the Circulation Desk before leaving the Reading Room.
Item limits
- You can have up to ten (10) active item requests at a time.
- You can check out three (3) items or less at one time to use at your workstation.
- If you haven’t used an item within 14 days, it will go back to the stacks.
View your checkout history in your request account at https://request.folger.edu/ when logged in with your Folger OpenAthens credentials.
Study location restrictions
You may use Vault items at Reading Room desks only. Vault items cannot be consulted in the Reading Room balcony, the Reference Meeting Room, or Open Stacks.
More information about using the library
Preparing for your first visit
Steps to register for a reader card and what to do when you arrive at the Folger
Reading Room policies
Lists of allowed and prohibited items, plus rules about photography and devices
Handling collection items
Instructions for safe and responsible use of the collection