AALS – Policies Governing Access and Use

The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), recognizing the value of its archival material for scholarly research on its own history and on the development of legal education and the legal profession, has deposited those materials with the University Archives of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The following policies govern access to and use of the AALS Archives.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS

1. 1. Access policy is based on a three-part categorization of records series: open, restricted, or confidential.

Open series

Publications, press releases, and other documents created for public dissemination. Access to these materials may be granted by the University Archivist and does not require approval from the Executive or Deputy Director.

Restricted series

Processed administrative and project records. Access is granted only after the University Archivist receives written notice of permission from the AALS Executive or Deputy Director specifying exactly which folders and boxes the user can examine.

Confidential series

Processed records containing sensitive files for which access is granted only after the AALS Executive or Deputy Director physically reviews the files and provides written permission.

EXAMINATION AND USE

1. 1. Permission to examine restricted or confidential materials may be granted only by the AALS Executive Director or Deputy Director, except that the staff of the AALS and the University Archives may have unrestricted access in the course of conducting AALS business or administration of the AALS Archives.
   2. Any person may make written application on the User Application form to the University Archives for permission to examine restricted or confidential materials in the Archives. Permission to examine restricted or confidential materials may be granted only by the AALS Executive or Deputy Director.
   3. No material may be removed from the Archives without the express written permission of the AALS Executive or Deputy Director and the University Archivist.
   4. Archival materials are to be used only at the University Archives. Users are required to conform to regulations governing handling of documents and note-taking as established by the University Archivist. Access may be denied if the integrity or physical preservation of the documents would be jeopardized by the use.

COPYING:

1. 1. In lieu of note-taking, single photocopies of documents may be made at the user’s expense.
   2. For researchers unable to visit the University Archives, photocopies of documents may be secured through the Archivist following completion and AALS approval of the User Application form. A written request should be made specifying the materials and passages to be copied and the type of reproduction required. The Archivist may refuse any request deemed so broad as to require unreasonable staff time.

PUBLICATION:

1. Permission to copy does not convey the right to publish or reproduce AALS materials beyond “fair use” provisions of the Copyright Act. Permission to publish must be obtained through a separate written request made to the AALS Executive or Deputy Director.
2. Where permission to publish is granted, the applicant agrees to indicate in the published work that the original is the property of the Archives of the Association of American Law Schools. The applicant further agrees to assume full and complete responsibility for any infringement of copyright, literary rights, or other rights that may arise as a result of the use or publication of the material.
3. When information from the AALS Archives is used in dissertations, theses, a publication, or public presentations, the applicant agrees to provide a bibliographic citation indicating the source of the material and its location within the AALS Archives.