Visiting the Archives
Before You Visit
You do not need to have a UNC affiliation. There is no fee to research.
Fill out the Patron Registration and Research Request form. You can do this in advance or when you arrive. You must complete the form annually to use the collections. Signing the form indicates that you understand and agree to follow the policies on this website related to:
- Using the reading room
- Handling materials
- Reproducing materials
- Following copyright law and citing materials
Search our collections online before you visit, so you have an idea of what you want to look at when you arrive. See Using Online Resources.
Contact us in advance – let us know what you are interested in researching and we can help you identify related resources. You can email, call, or submit your request via the Patron Registration and Research Request form.
This will also allow us to pull your requested materials ahead of your visit, saving you time. Only staff members have access to the collection storage areas, so we will pull all materials for you. Please note that we do not pull materials in the last 30 minutes of the business day.
If you contact us in advance, we can also confirm that the Reading Room will be available. (If a class is being held, we may ask you to come at another time.) If you cannot come during normal business hours, you can schedule an appointment (subject to staff availability).
When You Arrive
Backpacks, coats, and other personal property will need to be stored in a provided locker.
No food or drink is allowed.
Please silence your cell phone.
Handling Materials From the Collections
Materials do not circulate and must not be removed from the research area.
You may request more than one box or volume of material, but you may only use one unit at a time.
Remove only one folder at a time from a box. A staff member will provide “out” cards for you to mark where you have removed a folder.
Maintain the original order of the folders in the box and the materials in the folder. If folders or materials appear to be out of order, please alert a staff member.
Materials must lie flat on the tables. Please do not fold, trace, write on, lean on, or otherwise handle the documents in ways likely to damage them.
Gloves may be required to handle some materials, particularly negatives, photographs, metal objects, and prints. A staff member will provide these gloves when necessary.
Photographic materials should only be handled by the edges.
Taking Notes and Making Copies
Most of our holdings are unique, rare, or fragile. We ask you to help preserve these items for future generations by following these procedures:
- Use only pencils for notetaking. (Pencils are provided.) Laptops are also allowed.
- Pens, Post-it notes, metal paper clips, staples, tape, and other adhesives are not allowed
- The following items may be used with permission. Please ask a staff member first.
- Digital cameras (without the flash)
- Cell phone cameras (without the flash)
- Recording devices
- Personal copies and scanners
Photocopying is available for most materials. The first 25 regular photocopies are free, beyond that please see our fee list. Some materials can only be copied by a staff member.
Staff members reserve the right to deny permission to photograph or copy items. This may be due to:
- Preservation concerns
- Donor restrictions
- Copyright restrictions
- Mishandling of materials