The McCormick Library Reading Room is located in Deering Library, level 3. We are open for appointments during these days and times. Once you have requested material to view and have a confirmed appointment, we ask that you

Please be prompt. You may arrive up to fifteen minutes early to ensure the maximal use of your requested time. Understand that if you make an appointment and fail to show up, it means someone else has also been denied use of the McCormick collections. If for any reason you need to cancel your appointment, please email specialcollections@northwestern.edu, or the staff member with whom you’ve been in contact no later than 12 hours before your appointment time.

Remember your appointment is for only you. Should you wish to work with a research partner or send someone in your stead, that person needs to be registered in our system and have their own appointment.

Leave your coat, bag, and any food or beverages at the entrance upon your arrival. Lockers also are available for use. You are allowed to take the following items to your seat: a notebook and pencil, laptop, tablet or other device and phone.

Please be careful handling the material. These are all rare materials and frequently one of a kind. If you have requested to examine any photographic material (negatives, contact sheets, prints) gloves will be provided.

Use your phone or digital camera to take non-flash photographs of materials. Note there may be exceptions for collections with reproduction restrictions. Photographs are for personal use and study only. See Northwestern University Library’s full Rights, Permissions, and Reproductions Policies page for additional information.