Visiting the MHS Library

As of July 8, 2020, the Brown Research Library reading room is open for research by appointment. As always, the Maine Historical Society welcomes the use of its collections by historians, authors, educators, students, genealogists or anyone interested in the history of Maine.

As with any research or special collections library and archive, there are policies and procedures in place to preserve the collections for future generations. In addition, Maine Historical Society (MHS) has updated our reading room policies to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The most notable change being that research is currently available by appointment only, with a limited number of spaces each day.

What's new and different in response to COVID-19?

MHS updated its Collection Use Guidelines and reading room policies in response to the pandemic. All visitors (including returning researchers) should take the time to review the updated information before making an appointment.

MHS takes the safety of our staff, patrons and collections seriously. We are quarantining collections between use, requiring face masks, encouraging hand washing and social distancing, and instituting cleaning protocols with both people and collections in mind. Specifics are outlined below, and via the Collection Use Guidelines.

Any new or updated information about researching at MHS will appear here on this page as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding as we strictly enforce our updated policies and guidelines.

Library Access

• The Brown Research Library is open Wednesday–Friday 1:00 pm–4:00 pm by appointment only.
• Appointments must be made at least one week in advance.
• The Library is open to members, students and teachers free of charge, and to the general public for a $10 daily fee. Guests (non-members) are invited to become a member. Membership is open to everyone.
• The reading room is closed on holidays and some holiday weekends. Occasionally we close due to inclement weather. Please call ahead before traveling great distances in the winter.
• Out of an abundance of caution, the lower level and mezzanine book stacks in the reading room are currently closed to browsing.
• MHS has one reading room for all public research. Upon arrival, researchers are assigned a seat.
• For social distancing purposes, researchers are asked to remain seated during their visit. Please do not approach the staff or other researchers and remain in the designated research area.
• Symptomatic researchers will be asked to leave immediately.
• MHS has suspended the use of its paper-based researcher registration form. The appointment booking process supersedes the form. Further, guests do not need to sign the guest book upon arrival.
• The photocopier and public access computers are currently not available. Researchers are encouraged to bring their own laptop or tablet.
• The Library collections catalog is available online via Minerva. This is a shared catalog with other Maine libraries, so be sure that the materials you want are held at MHS.
• Museum objects and photograph catalogues are available via Past Perfect Online and item level collections searched via Maine Memory Network.
• If you have questions about our holdings please use the Ask a Librarian form.

Reading Room Policies

• Masks (face coverings) are required. Patrons will wear a mask for the duration of their visit.
• Patrons are encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands prior to entering the reading room. Hand sanitizer is available at the reading room entrance. For the safety of the collections, hand sanitizer is not permitted at the reading room tables.
• Only select items are permitted in the reading room:
  • Pencils
  • Laptops or tablets
  • Laptop /phone chargers /headphones
  • Papers used for research
  • Cell phones
  • Handheld non-flash cameras (MHS members only).
• Before entering the reading room, all coats, bags, purses, backpacks, tote bags, large hats and other outside gear must be checked in the lobby lockers. Please avoid bringing oversized bags or luggage to the Library.
• All packing or unpacking of bags, etc, will take place in the lobby, not at the reading room tables.
• Laptops/tablets are welcome and encouraged, but must be removed from their bag or zipper enclosure prior to entering the reading room. Public access computers are not available at this time.
• Scanners, tripods, lights and video cameras are not allowed. Use of a handheld, non-flash camera is limited to MHS members, including the use of camera phones.
• The photocopier is not available at this time.
• Only one microfilm reader is available at this time. The machine is not currently connected to a printer. However, patrons are welcome to use a flash drive to save data. Staff may impose a time limit if patrons are waiting.
• No food or drinks are allowed in the reading room. The Longfellow Garden is open seasonally for patron use, and subject to social distancing guidelines.
• Please talk on your cell phone in the lobby only.
• Wireless internet connection is available. Staff is not able to provide technical assistance. Electrical outlets are also available.

Collections Policies

• Please read the Collections Use Guidelines. By making an appointment, patrons agree to observe the Collection Use Guidelines, which are necessary to safeguard the collections.
• MHS collections do not circulate and collections do not leave the premises.
• All manuscript and special collection materials (maps, newspapers, photographs, architectural drawings, pamphlets, rare books, ephemera, broadsides) must be requested in advance.
• Patrons are limited to five (5) manuscript or special collection items per appointment. For example: a manuscript box, a folder, a volume or a map qualifies as one item.
• MHS strongly encourages patrons to request books in advance. While select titles may be paged on-demand, some materials may not be available (quarantined, off-site, full-text online). Staff may limit the number of books requested at one appointment or limit access to books which appear online.
• Collection requests (via the appointment process) must be made at least one week in advance. The lead-time is necessary because collections are quarantined between use. The quarantine process may result in delayed access.
• MHS Members may use handheld non-flash digital cameras to capture content. Those making use of this member benefit agree not to disseminate or publish content without MHS' written permission. Further, patrons will adhere to all applicable United States copyright laws.
• If you are considering the donation of historic material to Maine Historical Society's museum or library, please note MHS has updated its collection donation procedures due to COVID-19. Please contact collections@mainehistory.org for more information.

Photocopies and Photography

• Due to the coronavirus, photocopying is not available at this time.
• Scanning is not allowed. Photography is limited to members and may be subject to staff approval.
• MHS members who agree to the photocopy policies may use a handheld non-flash camera to capture content. Membership is open to everyone. Please consider becoming a member to unlock this benefit and help support MHS.
• A United States Copyright notice is posted in the Library. All users must abide by the law and are personally responsible for any violation.
• If you would like a high resolution or digital copy of an item from the collections, please email our Image Services Coordinator at info@vintagemaineimages.com or go to our Image Services section for information about Rights and Reproductions.
• You may order reproductions directly from MHS or our contributing partner's collections at www.vintagemaineimages.com.
• In addition, thousands of images are available online through the Maine Memory Network or our museum & photograph database Past Perfect Online.

Making an Appointment

• Appointments are required for all on-site research.
• Appointments are available Wednesday–Saturday 1:00–4:00 pm. Currently, only four appointments are available each day.
• Anyone can make an appointment: MHS members, students and teachers are at no charge, guests (non-members) are at $10 per appointment.
• All researchers must register with their own appointment. While household members may research as a "group", they must each provide individual information during the appointment process. Please do not bring along guests who do not plan to actively research in the collections.
• Multiday appointments are available, but each day must be booked separately (the system only allows for single day bookings). Include all requested materials on the first day of your reservation.
• Online appointments are encouraged; if you need assistance booking an appointment please email research@mainehistory.org or call (207) 774-1822 x230.
• An appointment is not confirmed until Library staff provides an official confirmation.
• Please provide call numbers and collection specifics at the time of your appointment request. Search the catalogue ahead of time or contact our staff for assistance.
• Cancel or do not make an appointment if you or someone in your household:
  • Are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Has been recently (within 14 days) exposed to a symptomatic or infected person.
  • Been asked to self-quarantine.
  • You are not vaccinated and have travelled outside the US or your state is no longer exempt from quarantine—see current Maine State Travel Guidelines for up-to-date information.

MHS will gladly cancel or reschedule your appointment if you are unwell or meet the criteria above. Just call or email to let us know you won't be joining us. Symptomatic researchers will be asked to leave immediately.

If you wish to email your appointment request, please email research@mainehistory.org. Appointments are not confirmed until you receive written (email) confirmation.