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This thesis centers the often ritualistic and participatory handling of medieval manuscripts within their original context in juxtaposition with modern practices imposed in special collections reading rooms. While I affirm that institutional stewardship is essential to the survival of medieval manuscripts, it remains that many institutions (such as our local Getty and Huntington) overly restrict physical handlings in the guise of preservation–despite conservator’s overall prioritization of use. Consequently, this paper interrogates the systems of “gatekeeping” in cultural heritage institutions–particularly, those that raise the barrier for entry for graduate students, emerging academics, and even members of the public. Simultaneously, this thesis questions the accessibility and bias of library request systems and the digital facsimiles that institutions push as substitution for physical handling. Reflecting on the importance of materiality within medieval people’s experience of manuscripts—illustrated through emerging secondary research–this thesis advocates for a “medieval model” of access where people are allowed to handle manuscripts with the understanding that deterioration will occur overtime.