Using the Archives Search Room

Note: Sheffield Local Studies Library and Sheffield Archives are located in separate buildings approximately 10 minutes walk apart.

 

There is a variety of catalogues and indexes which you may need to consult in order to access original archive material and microforms.  These can be bewildering so please ask a member of staff for help at any time.

 

In order to access original archive material you need to quote a document reference number.  These can be obtained form the card indexes and/or the catalogues.  There are catalogues and card indexes available for many of the collections and the staff can show you how they work. 

 

Advance notice of a visit is always appreciated and original documents may be ordered in advance.

 

Documents are issued between 10-11.45am and 2-4.15pm:

You may put in up to 3 request slips at a time. We will collect documents from the strongroom as soon as possible.  If there is likely to be a delay, we will inform you of this.

 

There is a limited collection of documents at 1pm. You may put in only one request slip at this collection.

 

The last collection of documents is at 4.15pm.

 

Please ask at the search room desk for documents you have ordered.

 

We will try to have documents made available within 20 minutes of your request but at busy times it may take longer than this. (It is always helpful to us if you order documents in advance and will save you from having to wait for them to be fetched).

 

All documents should be returned to the staff at the search room desk by 5pm.

 

 

When using the Archives Search Room we ask that you use pencils only in order to protect the items in our care.  If you wish to photocopy anything please ask a member of staff and they will let you know if it is suitable for copying. If you wish to trace anything a polyester sheet is to be used to protect the original.  If you wish to photograph anything please ask a member of staff first to that issues of copyright can be clarified.

 

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted in the Search Room.