Archives are for everyone – help to keep them safe

Using archives is a great experience – each item is precious and unique, a direct connection with the past.

We need to make sure that they are kept undamaged for others to look at, so most record repositories have searchroom rules like these:

• Make sure your hands are clean
• Use only pencils
• No eating or drinking (not even sweets, or bottles of water)
• Handle documents carefully – if necessary, use the document weights and book supports provided
• Leave bags and coats outside the searchroom – most repositories have lockers.

Staff are always happy to give help and advice on the best way to handle documents.