HIST 500 - Senior Seminar: Finding and Using Primary Sources

Researching in archives is very different from using a traditional library, and knowing some key guidelines will make your future archival research much easier.  

• Making an appointment is almost always required.  Many archives are open limited hours, or have staff comprised mostly of volunteers, so it is important to phone ahead to make sure you'll have access to both the materials you need and help from an archivist.  In addition, talking to the archivist ahead of your visit will allow them to aid your research by suggesting additional collections that might also be helpful.  Remember, they are the experts of their collections!  
• You will often be required to leave your personal belongings secured outside of the reading room.  Laptops are usually not restricted.    
• No pens, markers, highlighters, food, or drink are allowed in reading rooms.  This is to protect unique, irreplaceable items from damage. 
• Rules on scanning, photographing, or copying materials vary from archive to archive.  Some locations charge a fee, some will provide scans free of charge...be sure to ask up front about the archives policy.  Also, be aware that providing scans may not be an instantaneous process and you may have a delay in receiving your images.    

Your best resource is often the archivist, so it's good to get in the habit of calling and talking to them.  Archivists love nothing more than talking about their collections, so take advantage of that tendency!