The papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection, with the following exceptions: Family correspondence is closed until 2025; some items in the biographical series are closed until 2025; correspondence with Darline Levy and Ann Fagan is closed until 2035. A small amount of Barnard College material is closed as well, some until 2012, and the rest until 2032 or 2057 (as noted in container listing).

Permission to cite the papers for quotations or for publication beyond "fair use" must be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property as well as the copyright. Copyright to materials authored by persons other than Annette Baxter is owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.