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Citations
Citations for rare or unique materials should include enough information to identify and locate the original work:
- title of work
- date of creation or publication
- collection name
- name and location of the repository or library unit
Optimally, a citation for rare and/or unpublished works will include other information to further identify and locate the original copy of the work, which may include:
- collection identifier
- box number
- folder name and/or number
- call number
- page number
- documentary or media format
- URL for a catalog entry, finding aid, or Digital Library object
Guidance for different kinds of Special Collections & Archives materials is below.
Guidance for adhering to specific citation styles can be found in the FSU Libraries Citation Guide.
Rare books
Suggested citations in multiple styles are generally available from a book’s catalog entry.
Archives & Manuscripts
Preferred citation information is available from the ArchivesSpace database for archives and manuscripts collections. They generally follow this format:
Title of Item, Date of Item, Box and Folder number, Title of Collection, Collection ID, Parent Unit, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. collection record URL
Example:
Vita (Paul Dirac), 1984, Box: 15, Folder: 09. Paul A.M. Dirac Papers, MSS 1989-009. FSU Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/MSS_1989-009
Credit Lines
For publication, display, or broadcast where a full citation is not suitable, a short acknowledgment should include the name of the repository or library unit, and as much of the collection title as possible.
Examples:
Paul Dirac Papers, Florida State University Special Collections & Archives
Image Courtesy FSU Heritage & University Archives
Copyright
Users who would like to reuse materials from our collections for publication, distribution, performance, display, or broadcast should be aware of any copyright restrictions on the content.
Special Collections & Archives frequently applies copyright statements to collection and item records. Below are some typical statements, and what they mean for Libraries users.
Conditions of use other than copyright may apply. Please read item and collection records carefully.
Public Domain in the United States
Example statement: This work is in the public domain in the United States. Any user may copy, distribute, adapt, display, or broadcast it without restriction.
Public domain works are not subject to copyright protection. Users don’t need permission from FSU Libraries or anyone else to make use of them.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statements (No Copyright)
In Copyright - Florida State University
Example statement: Copyright is held by Florida State University. It is provided here for scholarship, research, and private study. For use regarding commercial and non-commercial publication, or copying outside of Fair Use, email Special Collections (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu).
Those planning reuse of these works beyond Fair Use should complete an FSU Libraries Permission to Publish, Exhibit, or Broadcast Works Form and email Special Collections (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu) a copy of the completed form.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statements (In Copyright)
In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted
Example statement: Copyright of this work is held by [rights-holder]. It is provided here for scholarship, research, private study, and non-commercial use. Further use or copying of the work beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder.
Anyone may reuse these works for scholarship, research, private study, or other non-commercial use. For commercial uses beyond Fair Use, users should seek permission from the rights-holder. Users may email Special Collections & Archives staff (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu) to see if further information on rights-holders is available.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statement (In Copyright - Non-commercial Use Permitted)
In Copyright - Rights-Holder Known
Example statement: Copyright of this work is held by [rights-holder]. It is provided here for scholarship, research, and private study. Further use or copying of the work beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder.
To reuse these works beyond Fair Use, users should seek permission from current rights-holders. Users may email Special Collections & Archives staff (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu) to see if further information on rights-holders is available.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statement (In Copyright)
In Copyright - Rights-Holder Unknown (Orphan Work)
Example statement: This work is in copyright in the United States. It is provided here for scholarship, research, and private study. Further re-use or copying of the work beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder.
FSU Libraries has not been able to identify the rights-holders for these works, but we are confident they are protected by copyright. For uses beyond Fair Use, users are encouraged to make an effort to identify current rights-holders. Basic strategies for identifying copyright holders (and what to do if you can’t) are outlined in the FSU Libraries Copyright FAQ.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statement (In Copyright - Rights-Holders Unlocatable or Unidentifiable
Copyright Not Evaluated
Example statement: Copyright status of this work has not been determined. It is provided here for scholarship, research, and private study. Further use or copying of the work beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder.
FSU Libraries has not yet attempted to determine the copyright status of these works. Users may email Special Collections & Archives staff (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu) for assistance in determining rights information for these works.
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statement (Copyright Not Evaluated)
Copyright Status Indeterminable
Example statement: Copyright status of this work could not be determined. It is provided here for scholarship, research, and private study. Further use or copying of the work beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder.
FSU Libraries has not been able to identify the rights-holders nor determine the copyright status for these works, and has determined that the information may not be findable. Users with information about rights in these works are encouraged to email Special Collections & Archives staff (lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu).
Additional guidance on these works is available at Rights Statement (Copyright Undetermined)