HOLLYWOOD LOCKUP

Film is big business in this town, and for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ library in Beverly Hills, its comprehensive collection of scripts, books and reference materials is worth protecting. It’s so protected, in fact, that we wondered if it might be tougher to get in and look at a copy of “The Ultimate Clint Eastwood Trivia Book” than to make somebody’s day visiting an inmate at the mother of all secure facilities, San Quentin.

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INSTITUTION: California State Prison, San Quentin.

APPROVAL PROCESS: Visitors must complete basic questionnaire.

CHECK-IN: Arrive at least one hour before closing time; pass through a metal detector.

DRESS CODE: No blue, cranberry, black, green or gray denim; no camouflage or uniforms; no see-through clothing; no halter tops; no wraparound skirts; no hems shorter than three inches above the knee; no garments with metal wires or buttons; no metal hairpins. (Doctor’s note required if you wear a metal prosthesis.)

SNACK TIME: Prepackaged food (no home-baked hacksaw pies) allowed inside the big house, but, inexplicably, not on some afternoons. Vending machines available.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: In the “non-contact” sector, glass walls keep visitors from touching the serious offenders.

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INSTITUTION: The Margaret Herrick Library at the Center for Motion Picture Studies, Beverly Hills.

APPROVAL PROCESS: Visitors must complete library-use application.

CHECK-IN: Present photo ID and sign in with downstairs security guard; store bags and any items other than a pen and notebook in locker room (you’ll need a quarter for the locker); sign in with upstairs librarian (upon leaving, remove papers from notebook for full inspection).

DRESS CODE: All-black is industry de rigueur, but screenwriter-shabby also acceptable.

SNACK TIME: A Protein Berry Pizzaz? So you can spill it on Yul Brynner’s autobiography? No way--no food, drink (or smoothies) allowed.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: In the “Reading Room,” white gloves keep visitors from smudging the movie stills.