Every archive is different, but there are a few good rules of thumb with universal applicability.
- Identify which archive you want to visit. ArchiveGrid is an excellent free tool to start identifying archives that have material you may be interested in.
- Visit their website or call to ask what their procedures are. Every archive is different! Some might have a long list of materials on their website so you can identify materials yourself, while others will keep a list of holdings private and you will have to rely on the archivist to suggest materials to you. Some allow you to bring a camera, others don't. The vast majority of archives will simply tell you what to expect on their website. Always be professional and courteous when speaking with staff.
- Schedule a visit with the archivists in advance. It is rare for archives to allow people to walk in unannounced. Many times it can take archivists several days to identify and retrieve materials for you to view. Make sure to give everyone the necessary time to arrange your visit.
- Bring a pencil and looseleaf paper for keeping notes, but be prepared to have to keep them in a locker. No archives allow the use of pens while working with historical documents, so you will always use a pencil. Many archives also forbid the use of notebooks and only allow loose paper. Some archives are so strict about these rules that they will only allow you to use pencils and paper they provide. So bring your own just in case they are out, but be ready to use what they provide if required.
Want more tips or still a little nervous? Spend some time over at Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research, an excellent, in-depth resource from the Society of American Archivists! Archivists are, by and large, friendly and extremely helpful professionals. They want to ensure your success and are generally more than happy to teach you how to properly handle materials and make requests according to their local standards.
