The Rules for Visitors of the Study Room

Rules for Visitors of the Study Room of the Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books

Article 1

In order to implement the rights and obligations of the users of the National Library of the Czech Republic (hereinafter referred to as the "NLCR") set out in the General Reading Rooms Regulations of the NLC (hereinafter referred to as the "Library Rules") when using the services of the Study Room of the Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books (hereinafter referred to as the "Study Room"), these Rules for Visitors of the Study Room of the Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books (hereinafter referred to as the "Visiting Rules") are issued. In cases not covered by these Visiting Rules, the Library Rules shall apply.

Article 2

The user is obliged to follow the Library Rules and to respect the instructions set out in the Rules for Visitors of the Study Room or communicated by an employee of the National Library of the Czech Republic in connection with the current situation.

Article 3

The Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books (hereinafter referred to as "the Department") is a special department that manages the historical collections of the National Library of the Czech Republic and is governed by special provisions.

Article 4

The Study Room is intended only for work with historical collections managed by the Department and for work with the reference library.

Access to the Study Room is available to all users with a valid NLCR library card.

All documents managed by the Department, including the reference library, are made available exclusively by appointment in the Study Room.

Article 5

The order form is available in the Study Room (all three parts must be filled in); it is also possible to order electronically (the link to the electronic order form is on the department's website); e-mail or telephone orders are excluded. Library items in poor physical condition are not available for loan. For full-time study, documents are preferably made available on alternative media, i.e. digital copies made as part of the digitisation of historical collections, optical discs, microfilms, microfiche, photocopies and facsimiles.

Article 6

Documents cannot be dispatched on demand, but are brought in during expedition hours (9:00, 14:00) or on an agreed date. A maximum of 5 library items can be ordered, only after they have been returned can additional items be ordered.  Only 1 volume can be studied in the Study Room. The maximum booking period is set at 3 working days from the date of the expedition.  The maximum possible time of making them available in the Study Room is 6 working days (unless the user agrees otherwise). Exceptions are allowed by the Head of the Department.

Selected documents from the historical collection may be reserved for one operating day only. The maximum possible time of their availability in the Study Room may be limited due to their nature. No further reservations are possible. The user will be informed of this in advance.

Article 7

There are 6 places reserved for the study of historical collections (tables 1, 2 for the study of manuscripts; tables 3, 4, 5, 6 for the study of old prints and maps). The user working with historical collections is obliged to study at these places. The Supervisor may designate a place to study, taking into account the occupancy of the Study Room and the nature of the library items borrowed.

The Supervisor does not provide users with assistance in reading and translating texts.

Article 8

Each user is obliged to present his/her valid reader's card to the service upon entering the Study Room.

Article 9

Library items from the historical collection must be surrendered to the service each time you leave the Study Room.

Article 10

The user is obliged to:

a) use only medium hardness pencils (2H, HB) when studying;

b) study the original documents laid out on foam pads;

(c) use only the non-acidic paper tabs available from the service to file and track text;

d) keep the peace, do not disturb other users in any way;

(e) obey the instructions of the Supervisor.

Article 11

It is strictly forbidden to interfere in any way with the borrowed library units, e.g. to tick, enter, add folios, copy, or use them as writing pads, etc. The user is obliged to return the borrowed library units in the same condition in which they were borrowed. Otherwise, he/she is liable for all damages and is obliged to reimburse the NLCR for the cost of repairing the documents, or to compensate for the damage as in the case of its loss.

Article 12

Bringing food and drinks into the Study Room is not allowed, their consumption in the Study Room is prohibited.  Voice communication via mobile phones and the use of loudspeakers and sound signals is not allowed. Before entering the Study Room, the user is obliged to put away outer clothing, bags, briefcases, etc. in the cloakroom.

Article 13

Photography in the Study Room:

a) Photographing library items from the reference library: your own device (camera, mobile phone, tablet) may be used without the express permission of the Supervisor when taking photographs "handheld", without flash/intense light, for personal use.

b) Photographing library items from the historical collection: your own device (camera, mobile phone, tablet) may be used without the express permission of the Supervisor when taking photographs "handheld", without flash/intense light, for personal use.

Article 14

Making copies on self-service copying machines:

a) Copying of library items from the collection of the department's reference library may be done by the user after consultation with the Supervisor.

b) Copying of library items from the historical collection is not allowed, it is possible to contact the Supervisor and place an order.

The price of copies made by self-service or on request is governed by the valid Price List of Paid Library and Information Services and Fees.

Article 15

The use of reproductions from the historical collection is subject to approval and the following conditions:

a)           reproduction may only be used for the purposes stated;

b)           to hand over 1 documentary copy to the Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books of the National Library of the Czech Republic;

c)            in the text, in any list of illustrations and in reproductions, provide a citation;

d)           reproductions not to be forwarded for further publication or use by others.

Article 16

A reference library is available to all users in the Study Room. Its collection is contained in the online catalogue, in the NKC database. From computers located in the Study Room, users can access the STT database, the Knihopis, the Manuscriptorium digital library, the National Digital Library and selected online licensed databases and other resources of the NCL.

Article 17

Internet access is available in the Study Room on the devices of the National Library of the Czech Republic and wireless internet access. The use of (i) computers and computer connections, (ii) the Internet and electronic information resources, and (iii) the provision of wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) services is governed by the currently applicable relevant Guidelines of the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Article 18

If the user violates any of the obligations imposed by these Visitor Regulations, the borrowed documents may be withdrawn.

Article 19

Any exceptions to the Visiting Regulations are authorised by the Head of Department.

Article 20

The Visitor Regulations shall enter into force on the date of issue.

Prague, 1 April 2024

Mgr. Tomáš Klimek, PhD.

Director of the Department of Historical and Music Collections