About | Library Hours | Collection
Use | Photo Use / Fee Schedule | Permission
Policies | Databases
The Huntington Library functions
as both a research library and archive for the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Located
at the MVM's campus in Edgartown, the Library collects rare books, pamphlets,
manuscripts, and photographs that relate to Martha's Vineyard. Additionally, the
Library strives to preserve the history and heritage of the Island through focusing
on its different social communities, its various economic and cultural changes,
and its role in American and world history. 
The research library holds approximately 5,000 books. It also possesses the largest
collection of genealogical resources and records on the Island. The archive holds
550 linear feet of manuscripts, whaling logbooks, rare postcards, census records,
Island newspapers, town and state records, and maritime business records and account
books. The archive contains several special collections such as Revolutionary
War documents, Native American collections, and approximately 500 maps and 400
nautical charts. The archive also houses the recordings and transcripts of the
MVM's Vineyard oral history collection. Finally, the Huntington's Library's photo archive
contains approximately 50,000 images, 600 stereographs, and 400 daguerreotypes.
The
collections of the Gale Huntington Library of History are vital to promoting the
Museum's mission of preserving the history and cultural heritage of Martha's Vineyard.
The Historical Society is dedicated to "democratizing" history so as
to allow different communities to engage and shape their past. The Museum believes
that it can assist in the construction of the Island's history, identity, and
social memory.
Wednesday - Saturday: 11:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m.
or by appointment (508) 627-4441 ext.115
click here for more information on Museum hours
The
information in this section is intended to aid researchers in accessing and using
the collection. It also provides information on such topics as: reference and
research issues, photocopying policies, image reproduction, and historical research.
Charges
There is a $7 daily fee for nonmember researchers during the
summer. From fall through spring, there is a $6 daily fee for users. There is
no entry fee for MVM members and Island school children.
Handling the Collections
Researchers are required to store cell phones, purses, backpacks, and briefcases
before using archival and library materials. No food or drink is allowed in the
reading room. Patrons are required to use a graphite pencil to take notes. Pens
or markers of any kind are not permitted in the reading room. For additional information,
please refer to our Guidelines
for Handling Manuscripts, Printed Materials, and Photographs.
MVM Photocopying and Scanning Policy 
On-Site Research and Reference
Our trained staff is committed to providing research assistance to its users.
Beyond conducting a brief orientation and reference interview with patrons, staff
members are available to provide extensive research assistance. For MVM members,
the first hour of assisted research is free. For nonmembers, the Library charges
$25 per hour plus photocopying costs.
Off-Site Research and Reference
Our staff is also equipped to conduct research for and answer reference queries
from long-distance patrons. Reference assistance is available through email, mail,
and phone. Ready reference is available at no cost. However, due to constraints
of time and resources, the MVM does charge $25 an hour for more extensive research
and reference queries conducted at the Huntington Library/Archives. Members of
the MVM receive their first hour of research free of charge. Direct all research
and reference queries to the Assistant Librarian Linda Wilson. She can be reached
by email at
or by phone at 508-627-4441 ext. #115. Please include your full name, phone number,
email address, and mailing address when contacting the MVM reference desk. It
is important the MVM receive this information so as to expedite your research
request.
For genealogical queries, please contact the MVM's genealogist Catherine
Mayhew. She can be reached by email at .
All genealogical queries will be charged an hourly fee. For genealogical research
conducted at the Huntington Library, the hourly fee is $25. However, if any genealogical
research is conducted "off-site," the hourly rate is adjusted to $50
per hour. Members of the MVM receive their first hour of research free of charge.
Research for Commercial Publishers
Commercial publishers and large media organizations
will be charged $50 per hour for research with a $100 non-refundable minimum paid
in advance. Fees apply whether relevant information or images are found. Clients
will be given an estimate of the amount of time necessary for the research.
User Tutorial:
This
tutorial is intended to aid patrons who are preparing to conduct genealogical
or historical research. The short tutorial discusses such topics as: how to shape
a research question, how to evaluate the collections found in different types
of libraries and archives, how to work with primary documents and secondary literature,
and how to access the Huntington Library's collections. For additional information,
please go to the User
Tutorial.
The
Martha's Vineyard Museum has an extensive photo collection that contains over
50,000 images. The collection includes approximately 400 daguerreotypes, 600 stereographs,
1000 tintypes and ambrotypes, hundreds of postcards, and other assorted photo
negatives and slides. These images document a wide range of topics including Island
homes and architecture, Vineyard families, the Wampanoag, tourism, the development
of Cottage City, social organizations, African-Africans, commemorative events,
the Portuguese, Vineyard landscapes, Island fishing and farming, individual portraits,
as well as the physical setting of the Island's six communities.
Ordering
Images:
The MVM has both the staff and the technology to provide high-resolution
digital scans. These scans can be used for publication, scholarly research, documentaries,
exhibitions, or for personal use. While the MVM does not have the in-house facilities
to produce photo reproductions and slides, it does employ a number of professional
photographers who can create photo reproductions. These slides, transparencies,
or photographs will carry all the applicable use fees plus the professional's
own processing fee. For further information on fees and use, consult the MVM fee
schedule and/or the MVM Assistant Librarian Linda Wilson at
or at 508-627-4441, ext. 115.
Those wishing to use images of MVM collection
materials, such as artwork and material culture objects, will be subject to the
same policy and general fees as the photographic collections. In the case of photo
requests for artwork and material objects, you will be required to communicate
directly with the Museum Curator, Dana Costanza Street. The Curator can be reached at: 508-627-4441,
ext. 111 or at
dcstreet@mvmuseum.org
All photo requests must be made in writing and include a complete and detailed
citation for each item requested. You will also need to clearly specify the intended
use of the scanned MVM image. No image may be reproduced in any form without the
permission of the MVM. You will need to complete and return a Photograph
Order Form. The
MVM reserves the right to deny any photo request that it deems inappropriate.
The completed form should be sent directly to:
Martha's Vineyard
Museum
Attn: Linda Wilson, Photo Request
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown,
MA. 02539
Processing of Request:
Before
the photo order can be fully completed, you will need to make arrangements to
pay for the scanned images, the assigned use fee, and any shipping charges. Your
check, money order, or credit card charge must be for the exact amount required.
Personal checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Martha's
Vineyard Museum" in U.S. dollars and issued through a U.S. bank. Any order
with insufficient information or payment will be returned.
Once the MVM Librarian
has received your photo request form and payment, the processing of the order
will be completed within 7-10 business days. The MVM does not have the staff to
provide "rush" photo services. But, the staff will make every effort
to expedite your request.
Upon the completion of the order, the MVM staff
will contact you and inform you of the status of your photo request. The scanned
images can then either be sent via email or burnt onto a CD (and mailed). Average
shipping time for an order is ten days to two weeks. Fee
Schedule:
Images in the MVM collection carry a scanning fee. All individual
researchers will be assigned this flat fee for scanning and service. This fee
helps to pay for staff time and materials. Ready reference help is available at
no cost. However, because of staff and time constraints, requests that require
more time to fulfill will necessitate a charge. Researchers requiring extensive
time will be charged $25 an hour, with MVM members receiving a 10% discount. For
additional information. Fee Schedule.
Policy
for the Proper Use of Images:
The MVM reserves the right to refuse to
duplicate/photocopy fragile or rare materials. In addition, the MVM reserves the
right to limit the number of reproductions of unique collection images. Personal
photography and scanning of library collections or museum collections is prohibited.
All photographic prints are supplied strictly for reference purposes only unless
permission is obtained from the MVM Librarian.
Permission
to Reproduce and Publish Images
The sale of photographic images does not
constitute authorization to publish or make further copies of them. MVM photographs
may not be reproduced, resold, or otherwise commercially used without specific
written permission from the MVM Librarian. If you anticipate publishing, exhibiting,
or making any commercial use of MVM photographs, you will need to complete and
return the
Application for Permission to Reproduce, Publish, or Display MVM Images. The
form should be sent directly to the MVM Librarian. Permission will have to be
obtained before any MVM photographs can be published or displayed.
Please
note that all permissions are issued for one time, single edition, and single
language use. Additional editions carry a fee of 50% of the original fee, per
image. Rights do not automatically extend to multi-language publications. The
MVM must be notified if foreign language or additional editions are to be published.
Collection Development and Acquisitions Policy:
The MVM welcomes donations of documents, photographs,
and material objects. To inform potential donors about what types of materials
the Museum seeks to collect, the MVM has devised a formal policy in the area of
collections development. In addition, this section is intended to inform potential
donors about the steps that are taken to appraise, register, and catalog donations.
For additional information, please go to the MVM's Collection
Development and Acquisitions Policy.
This section
explains how to correctly use and cite materials drawn from the MVM collections.
In particular, the information in this section deals with the correct citation
of the MVM in paper and electronic publications as well as in visual and audio
productions.
Permission to Cite or Publish Materials
Obtaining copies
of MVM material does not imply the right to publish them or to permit them to
be copied. The MVM must receive a formal request in writing, which describes the
nature and purpose of the proposed use, publication, or exhibition. The request
must also specify the exact material desired for use.
Please refer to the
MVM's specific policies regarding photocopying of materials, use of scanned images
and photographs, as well as the citation of archival materials.
Application
for Permission to Reproduce, Publish, or Display MVM Images
The
MVM is committed to providing patrons with a number of elecrtronic research tools.
In the near future, the Huntington Library will be creating an online catalog
of its special collections. We also are planning to post a number of archival
finding aids, special collection catalogs, and photo data bases. However, during
this period of transition, we are very excited to offer an excellent index to
the MVM's quarterly publication The
Dukes County Intelligencer Index.
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