Special Collections materials are available by appointment only to qualified individuals with a bona fide research need.
Appointments
Appointments to use Special Collections must be made at least five business days in advance by contacting the department via email at researchrequest@oscars.org. When requesting an appointment, use the Academy Collections database and “My Selection” to create and submit a list of the specific files you would like to access. A member of the Special Collections staff will set up an appointment for you and will pull together the materials you have requested. Advance appointments are always required; Special Collections material is not available on a walk-in basis.
For space reasons, the number of appointments available each day is limited. Please schedule your appointment as far in advance as possible. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please message the Research Request email address above as soon as possible. Failure to appear and lack of prior notification will result in all materials being refiled and a new appointment will be required.
For general questions about Special Collections or if you wish to discuss your project with the Special Collections Research Archivist, please send a message to the department email at the bottom of the page.
Use and Handling of Manuscript Materials
Use of all Special Collections manuscript materials is coordinated by the Special Collections service desk. You must leave your library card at this desk whenever you are working with Special Collections materials. All materials must be used at the tables designated for Special Collections, and may not be taken into the DeMille Reading Room. Except under special circumstances, only one folder or file of material may be used at a time. It is extremely important that each item be handled with care and that you keep the materials within each folder in order at all times.
Researchers may use pencil and paper, laptop computers, or tablets for note-taking. Pens are not allowed under any circumstances. Small hand-held tape recorders are allowed, as long as their use does not disturb other patrons. Scanners and digital cameras, including the use of smart phones to film Special Collections material, are not permitted. Electronic copying is available on a limited basis.
Rights and Permissions
With the exception of Academy Awards or other Academy-related materials, the Academy does not claim legal rights for publication or other types of commercial use or reproduction of materials in its holdings. The researcher is responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals regarding any information or images obtained from the library.
Although the Special Collections staff will inform you of any restrictions on a given collection and will offer general guidance relating to questions of ownership or permissions, this is in no way represented as a substitute for legal consultation or research.
contact
Special Collections Department
Margaret Herrick Library
333 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Telephone: (310) 247-3036 ext. 2226
E-mail: specialcollections@oscars.org