Using Archives
What to do when you arrive
Reader's tickets
Looking at microfiche
Looking at original archives
Archive ordering times
On arrival at Nottinghamshire Archives
- You do not need to make an appointment
- Our duty team will be able to advise you on your arrival
- All visitors need to sign the visitors' book at Reception
- All bags and coats must be placed into a locker
- A Visitors' Introductory Pack is available for all visitors at Reception
- Visitors will need to observe our Code of Conduct [PDF 50KB]
Reader's tickets
- To look at original archives and use our CDs, you will need a Reader's Ticket
- Nottinghamshire Archives is part of the County Archive Research Network (CARN). If you already have a CARN Ticket issued at another office, you may use it here
- You can get a CARN Ticket on arrival at Archives. You will need to present identification showing a printed name and address, and a signature
- CARN Tickets are valid for four years
- They can be used at other archives which are part of the County Archives Research Network
- You can renew your CARN Ticket at any office. You will need full ID to renew your ticket, even if you still have your existing one.
Archives on microfiche
- You do not need to book a microfiche reader
- Microfiche can be consulted at any time
- There are accompanying lists and indexes to help you find a particular fiche
- A microfiche reader printer is available for making copies - find out more on our microfiche copies page
- You do not need a Reader's Ticket to look at microfiche
- Our duty team can advise you on accessing microfiche and using the microfiche readers and printer
Original archives
- You do not need to book a table or space in our archive research area
- Archives are kept in their original groups - find out more on our summary guide pages
- There are catalogues available to identify documents
- There are also indexes of persons, places and subjects to guide you to the appropriate catalogue
- When you have found a description of your document in the list, you can request to see it by writing its reference number on a Document Request Slip
- The slips are collected at the times specified below, so you will need to allow time to find the references beforehand
- Our duty team can advise you on using the indexes and catalogues, and how to request documents
- For more information, download our information sheets How to Find the Documents You Want [PDF 65KB] and How to Order Archives [PDF 95KB]
- Most records are available for general access but a few are restricted in whole or in part because information in them is exempt information under the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations. Restrictions are usually indicated in our catalogue and will be reviewed on request. There is no charge for this review, but searches in restricted access records are subject to a charge. Contact us for more information and advice.
Archives ordering times
Microfiche and printed books can be consulted at any time, but original archives are produced at regular intervals. Document Request Slips are collected at the following times, and the documents produced within 15 to 30 minutes later.
| Day | Collection times |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9.15 9.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 1.15 2.15 2.45 3.15 3.45 |
| Tuesday | 9.15 9.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 1.15 2.15 2.45 3.15 3.45 4.15 5.15 6.15 |
| Wednesday | 9.15 9.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 1.15 2.15 2.45 3.15 3.45 |
| Thursday | 9.15 9.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 1.15 2.15 2.45 3.15 3.45 |
| Friday | 9.15 9.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 1.15 2.15 2.45 3.15 3.45 |
| Saturday | 9.15 10.15 11.15 11.45 |
Download our information sheet How to Order Archives [PDF 95KB] for more details
