SIGNING IN: All visitors to the library are required to sign the register at the door and to identify themselves as members or non-members of the Society.

CATALOG ROOM: After signing in, patrons will proceed to the catalog room where they will find terminals for searching our online catalog as well as the old-fashioned card catalog. The catalog room also contains a coat rack and lockers.

LOCKERS: Like most manuscripts archives, we require that patrons store all bags, purses, cameras, and like materials in a locker before proceeding to the reading room. This measure is designed to ensure the security of our collection and of your belongings. Patrons are asked to bring only a pencil (no pens) and writing materials into the reading room. Laptop computers and hand-held devices (PDAs) are permitted.

FOOD and DRINK: Food and beverages are not permitted in the reading room. Patrons may leave such items in their lockers in the catalog room. There are numerous restaurants in our neighborhood, and the library staff can offer dining suggestions. Washington Park, which is adjacent to the Fireproof Building, provides an ideal picnic location during fair weather.

READING ROOM: Once patrons have signed in and placed their non-essential items in a locker, they may proceed to the reading room. The books in this area are open for browsing. Patrons viewing manuscript items will be asked to leave all boxes at the main desk and to take only one folder at a time to their seat. This measure is designed to ensure that the proper arrangement of the materials is maintained.

CALL SLIPS: The manuscripts, pamphlets, and rare books in our collection are located in closed stacks and are not open for browsing. Patrons must fill out a call slip (available in the catalog room) for each item they wish to view and present it to the librarian on duty in order to access these materials.

PHOTOCOPIES: There is a self-serve copy machine in the reading room. Copies are $0.35 per page for members and $0.40 for non-members. Patrons may make copies from books, but we require that you ask for assistance before attempting to copy manuscript items. If copies of numerous pages or items are desired, patrons can request a copy order form and have the staff perform the work.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Unauthorized photography of manuscript or printed materials in our collection is prohibited. Similarly, photography of the interior of the Fireproof Building is prohibited without the prior consent of the South Carolina Historical Society.

CELLULAR PHONES: We ask patrons with cellular phones to please silence these devices during their visit. All necessary calls should be conducted outside the library at an appropriate speech volume.

RESEARCH HELP: If you require special assistance in conducting your research or have in-depth questions, we encourage you to make an appointment to speak with a member of the staff.