The archive material is in general free for the public to study in our Reading Room. If the volume is digitalised or microfilmed, we will refer you to the digital or microfilmed copy. Documents that are waiting to be sorted and particularly fragile documents are generally not available for studying.
In order to guarantee the longevity of the documents in our custody some rules and procedures concerning the handling of the documents need to be established. You are expected to sign a declaration of compliance before you access archive material.
Please observe the following while visiting the Reading Room:
- Bags and outdoor coats should be left in the lockers outside the Reading Room.
- No food or drink is allowed in the Reading Room.
- Please respect the silence and ensure your mobile phone is set on silent mode.
As for the requisition and handling of documents the following applies:
- Please write requisitions in clear handwriting.
- All loans are to be signed off with a loan receipt.
- You may ask for a maximum of five volumes at a time.
- The order of the documents may not be altered.
- Do not place anything on top of the documents. Do not mark or lean on the documents while taking notes as the pencil pressure will cause damage.
- Do not moisten your fingers when turning pages.
- Do not use pens to point at the documents. Copying documents or maps by tracing is not allowed.
- Photographing is only allowed upon authorisation by the personnel. Using camera flash is not allowed.
- The staff reserves the right to open and inspect your personal possessions upon request.
- Additional instructions issued by the staff are to be followed.
Extra rules of precaution may apply when handling documents that are particularly fragile.
Handle all archive material and books with care. Take care to replace documents into the correct files, in the correct order. If you need to mark a page in a volume, please ask the staff for a paper marker.
Some of the archive material may be protected by copyright. This means that you may need to request permission from the author before copying, publishing or otherwise utilising the material in question.
Please contact our staff if you have any questions concerning the handling or usage of our material.