The following policies ensure the protection of the collections from harm or damage by the patron. Users of the collections must adhere to all policies in order to access and research the materials in the Rose Melnick Medical Museum. The Museum staff has the right to enforce all policies written in this document. We also reserve the right to add additional policies or change the following policies at any time if deemed necessary. If a patron disregards or violates any policy, the Museum staff may deny that patron access to the collections and/or ask him or her to exit the premises.

Please read the following policies:

• Food and beverages (including water) are not permitted around the collections. They attract bugs, rodents, and other critters who not only eat the food and drink left behind, but also devour paper-based materials and the adhesives used in some book bindings. In addition, food and beverages can easily be spilled or dropped onto valuable artifacts, thereby damaging or destroying the materials.
  
• Many of the holdings in the Museum's collections are extremely fragile. Please handle all materials with extra care and take any necessary precautions when handling any artifact.
  
• Depending on the nature of the material, the Curator may require patrons to wash their hands and/or wear white cotton gloves when handling certain materials. The oils, chemicals, acid, and dirt in our hands are extremely detrimental to most museum objects.
  
• Access to storage units is prohibited. Many materials can be easily damaged during transportation, especially if they are moved improperly. The Curator will retrieve and transport materials to your work area within the library.
  
• Due to theft, bags, briefcases, purses, knapsacks, and other personal belongings are not to be taken into the library/research area. These items can be left at the front desk with the receptionist.
  
• The Curator will determine how many materials can be viewed by a patron at one time (usually one box at a time).
  
• The use of pens and adhesives (tape, glue, etc.) in the library/research area is prohibited. Pens and adhesives can cause permanent damage if they come in contact with museum items. If notes need to be taken, please use pencil. At no time should anything be written on or adhered to any artifact in the Museum's collection.