Frequently Asked Questions

Appointments are encouraged but not necessary. To schedule an appointment, email reference@hnoc.org or use our Ask a Librarian form.

The WRC is open to the public during regular business hours. There is no entry fee or charge for using our collections. There are nominal charges for photocopies, photography orders, and usage fees for publication rights.  

The Williams Research Center is not a lending library. Materials in our collections must be used on-site, in our reading room.  

Click here for detailed driving directions and suggestions for public parking.  

Yes, the Williams Research Center is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. For more on accessibility at HNOC, click here.  

Researchers are allowed to bring note-taking materials such as notebooks, paper, or laptop computers into the reading room. Ink pens are not allowed; pencils are available. Electrical outlets are available at most tables. All property not essential to research, including briefcases, personal books, coats, and hats, must be stored during your visit. Secure lockers for personal effects are available at the reception desk. Staff members retain the right to search any personal items brought into the reading room by patrons. 

Reading room staff can photocopy certain materials at the patron’s request. Permission must be obtained on a case-by-case basis for all photocopies, excluding microforms (see the next question). Permission depends upon the condition of the material and any restrictions imposed by collection donors or the copyright owner. No photocopies may be made of oversized, hand-colored, or fragile items, or if copyright infringement is a possibility. For more details, see our section on reproductions.

Yes, our microform readers allow users to print copies. Users can also save images from microforms to a personal USB flash drive.  

Patrons may use personal cameras or phones to photograph materials. Prior to taking any photographs, please see a staff member and read our policy on camera use. Permission is always at staff discretion. 

Patrons may request duplicates of photographs in our collections. Permission depends upon the condition of the original prints or negatives as well any restrictions imposed by collection donors or the copyright owner. For more details, see our section on reproductions. 

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 

To request a reproduction for publication, please contact us at reference@hnoc.org or fill out our Ask a Librarian form. You will be asked to provide your name and contact information, a description of your project, the name of your publisher or production company, the specific images or materials from our collection that you wish to use (preferably including our identification numbers), and their intended use(s) in your project.

While our limited staff size generally precludes in-depth research conducted on behalf of patrons, we make every effort to assist researchers who cannot visit the reading room in person.  

For questions regarding our collections or help with your research topic, email us at reference@hnoc.org or fill out our Ask a Librarian. 

Some foreign-language documents in our collections are accompanied by English translations, but in most cases you’ll find them untranslated. The reading room does have some foreign-language dictionaries available for use. 

The Historic New Orleans Collection cannot give appraisals of materials in which it has a collecting interest. If you wish to learn the monetary value of something in your possession, we encourage you to consult a professional appraiser with experience in the current market for the type of object under consideration.  

We are always happy to consider donation of materials that are related to the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information, see our page on material donations. 

HNOC will lend material from its permanent collection for specific periods of time to other private or public museums, historical or educational institutions, preferably AAM accredited, for presentation to the public in temporary exhibitions, displays, or educational programs. Outgoing loans are formally approved by the president/CEO and board of directors. Approval is based on the condition of the object, the borrower’s facility report, and the ability of the requested works to travel and be displayed in a safe and secure environment. It is preferred that works on paper travel and be displayed in HNOC frames unless agreed otherwise. Three-dimensional objects are shipped with HNOC mounts unless the borrower's mounts are approved in advance. As is standard practice, the borrower will be responsible for framing, packing, shipping, insurance, and courier costs. To inquire about a loan, please contact please fill out our Ask a Librarian form below.