The University Archives are dedicated to making the research experience as rewarding and productive as possible for all readers. We ask you to cooperate with us to preserve the Archives’ collections for posterity by observing the following protocols:
- Please leave all outer wear, bags, binders, and folders in the lockers at the second floor entrance. You will be provided with a key to the locker; lockers must be emptied at the end of each day.
- Clear plastic bags are available to carry items such as proof of identity, laptops, tablets, and writing materials into the Reading Room; personal effects taken into the Reading Room, including notebooks and binders, will be inspected as readers exit the Library.
- Readers are required to register on their first visit to the Archives. Valid ID, such as a current University of Toronto card, a driver’s license, or other ID with a photograph, must be provided before a reader’s card can be issued. The card is valid for one year, and is required for the daily sign-in sheet and to request records.
- Food and beverages are not permitted anywhere in the Reading Room.
Retrievals
Records are non-circulating and must be consulted in our reading room. An attendant is always on duty to assist you in finding sources and requesting materials. Retrievals are on demand and the last retrieval is at 4:15 p.m. Some records are stored off-site and may take 1-2 days to retrieve. Listening to sound recordings or viewing film or video requires specialized equipment. An appointment may be needed to consult these records.
Visiting the Reading Room does not require an appointment. However, researchers are encouraged to contact us prior to their visit. This allows staff to evaluate each researcher’s needs and ensure that the requested material is available for when the researcher arrives.