Accessing the Collections

Accessing the Collections

Before your visit…

To view materials in the Legacy Center Archives, please first identify the items from the collections needed for your research. The collections are searchable in the following databases:

Then please make a viewing appointment with the Legacy Center by emailing legacy@jasc-chicago.org or by calling 773-275-0097, ext. 222.

We highly recommend that you identify items for your research and let the Legacy Center staff know in advance of your visit, because the materials are stored in closed stacks, and retrieval may take some time. If you need assistance in identifying materials, please make an appointment with the Legacy Center staff for  a reference consultation (available online or in person) by emailing legacy@jasc-chicago.org or by calling 773-275-0097, ext. 222.

From the Mary and James Numata Photograph Collection, JASC Legacy Center.

From the Mary and James Numata Photograph Collection, JASC Legacy Center.

During your visit…

The following policies are enforced on site in order to ensure the preservation of the materials in the Archives: 

  • Check in at the front reception desk upon arrival.
  • Complete a Legacy Center registration form and show a government-issued photo ID to Legacy Center staff.
  • Store personal belongings (bags, coats, etc.) in the designated section of the Reading Room. 
  • Bring to the research desk only those materials necessary for research and study. Permitted items are: pencils, notepads, laptop, smartphone. Use of ink pens is not allowed; please use pencils only.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the Reading Room. 
  • Tracing of Legacy Center material is not permitted.
  • Non-flash photography of materials for the purpose of personal research is permitted with the approval of the Legacy Center staff.
  • Follow other on-site instructions in the Reading Room (remove one folder from a box at a time, etc.).
  • Upon exiting the research area, all items removed by researchers are subject to search to ensure that Legacy Center materials are not inadvertently removed.
  • Theft, destruction, or mutilation of Legacy Center materials is strictly forbidden and punishable by law.

Please note:

  • Use of images of Legacy Center materials for non-commercial purposes is permitted in most cases, with proper citation.
  • Researchers are required to inform the Legacy Center of any prospective commercial use of Legacy Center materials. If you wish to publish, exhibit, display, or reproduce further any images of Legacy Center material, please contact the Legacy Center for the current publication permissions-request procedure.
  • Researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of literary rights, copyright, or other rights pertaining to the materials that they publish.
  • Researchers agree to notify the Legacy Center of any research products that include substantial materials from the Legacy Center; and agree to donate to the Legacy Center a complimentary copy of any print publication relying substantially on its collections.