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History 355: Archival Research Tips

Reading Room Rules

REQUESTING BOXES

Consult secondary sources about your topic first. 

Let us know the title, MPA number, and box number you'd like to see

There is a limit of 1 box per session

 WHAT TO BRING

Photo ID/ MPA researcher registration form (only necessary once)

laptop

Smartphone/ iPad / camera 

a pencil

loose paper

All other material will go into the lockers provided 

WHAT NOT TO BRING 

Food

Drink

Gum

Pens

Erasers


READING ROOM RULES

Only one box open at one time

Only one folder removed from a box at a time

Use placeholders to mark the location of the folder 

Don’t take materials out of folder.

Put materials back in right place. 

TIPS

Not all material is arranged together.

Take notes of what you want to look at when you’re looking at the finding aid

Keep notes on what you find.

Theories may be challenged by what you find in archives

Take it easy! You're probably not going to find "the smoking gun"