Access to the Design Commission Archives and Photograph Collection is available by appointment only and on a limited basis. Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please read the guidelines below, and then submit the research request form, clearly indicating the information requested and how it will be used.

1. All researchers must have an appointment. Failure to arrive at the appointed time may mean that staff will be unable to fulfill research requests.
2. Staff will bring all materials to researchers.
3. Only pencils may be used while handling the collections.
4. All materials must be handled carefully. Failure to do so or to observe the following requests will result in the removal of the material.
5. No eating, drinking or smoking is permitted.
6. Direct tracing is not permitted.
7. Researchers may take their own photographs with the permission of staff. Xeroxes, scans and professional photographic reproductions will be done only under the auspices of the Commission.
8. Absolutely no material will be removed from the offices by a researcher for any reason.
9. When reproducing materials from the Design Commission's own collection, researchers must cite the Design Commission with the credit line, "Collection of the Public Design Commission of the City of New York."
10. Researchers should be aware that the Design Commission cannot and does not provide clearances or permissions to reproduce works owned by third parties. However, the Design Commission does make its collections and archives available to the public, and provides access to information that may assist researchers in ascertaining what rights or permissions need to be obtained, and from whom, for the reproduction of works in publications or other media. Once permission has been granted by the copyright owner, the Design Commission requests that it be credited with the line "from the Collection of the Public Design Commission of the City of New York."