Visiting the Archives Centre
We are open for up to 8 researchers a day, from 0900 to 1700 weekdays. We also offer a limited but free remote copying service, where we will perform one hour’s copying per researcher per month, with a paid service available beyond that point. We welcome enquiries sent to archives@chu.cam.ac.uk.
The reading room will be closed for Christmas from Mon 23 Dec until Sun 5 Jan (inclusive).
We are currently limiting the number of tours and group visits we can offer, and will prioritise educational groups. For more information email Dr Amanda Jones.
What do I need to know before visiting?
- You can see our availability and book your visit here. If you have any issues using that system, or have a complex request, contact us by e-mail at archives@chu.cam.ac.uk or by phone on 01223 336087.
- Researchers can arrive at or leave the Archives Centre at any point during the day.
- We produce files in advance of your visit and on request throughout the day, with a break between 1230 and 1330, and with last productions typically by 1600. On busy days we may ask you to submit your final orders by 1530. We encourage you to let us know what documents you would like to consult initially in advance of your visit so we can have them ready for your arrival. Files can be ordered either by asking the staff member on duty in the reading room or by emailing archives@chu.cam.ac.uk.
- New researchers will need to register in advance and bring one form of photographic ID on their first visit (e.g. a passport or driving licence).
- Information on how to find us College is available here, and a map of the site is available here, with the Archives Centre marked as location 5. On arrival, please follow the signs directly to the Archives Centre. There is no need to report to the Porters’ Lodge.
- If you need any assistance, advice or wish to know more in advance of your visit then please contact us via email at archives@chu.cam.ac.uk or by phone at 01223 336087.
What services will be available for visiting researchers?
- Research desk
A desk will be reserved for each researcher and an allocated trolley will be placed near the desk with their pre-ordered documents.
- Lockers
Lockers are available just outside the Reading Room for storage of all items not required for your research.
- Catering facilities
Lunch can be purchased in the College main hall, where researchers can also take their own food, and the College bar (buttery) is also open and can be used by researchers.
- Accommodation
Visitors to the Archives Centre may be able to stay in College though generally this facility is only available outside term time. Archives visitors will be asked to pay at the Porters’ Lodge upon arrival. Churchill College is also home to the award-winning Møller Institute, a conference centre which offers excellent accommodation facilities. Some of the other Cambridge colleges also offer bed and breakfast accommodation and details can be obtained from universityrooms.com while further details of local accommodation can be obtained from Tourist Information.
- Parking
College’s ‘top car park’ at the far end of the site is available [see this College map]. Visitors with a ‘blue badge’, or similar needs, may also be able to park in designated spaces. Please confirm requirements in advance.
- Helping with on-site research
We can answer enquiries in our reading room but you can also submit requests for help with on-site research to archives@chu.cam.ac.uk, where we will have staff available to monitor and respond during the day.
- Wifi
You will be able to use your personal electronic devices to connect to our wifi. Eduroam is available for those with existing access, and others can connect to the ‘UniOfCam-Guest’ network.
- Taking digital photos
Researchers can take digital photographs for their personal research, in line with copyright regulations as set out in our registration form. Cameras should be handheld (eg no tripods or similar), and not use flash.
- Services not currently available
Microfilm resources are not available. It may be possible to print specific items for researchers.
Rules in the Reading Room
For the security and preservation of the unique documents within our care, we kindly ask researchers to observe the following rules:
- No smoking is permitted anywhere in the Archives Centre building.
- No drinking or eating (including sweets, gum and throat pastilles) is permitted in the reading room.
- Bags, coats and briefcases (including laptop bags and camera cases) must be left in the lockers provided. Researchers are asked to only bring essential items into the reading room. Large items of luggage cannot be accommodated.
- Pencils only should be used for note-taking (pens are not allowed into the reading room). Pencils are provided on your trolley.
- Yellow paper only should be used for note-taking (in order to distinguish the researcher’s notes from the archival material). If you are bringing other essential papers into the reading room, they must be kept separate from archival originals. Yellow paper is provided on your trolley.
- We operate a clean hands policy which means that we ask you to wash your hands before consulting documents but generally do not ask you to wear gloves unless handling photographs.
- Papers must be handled with great care and each file returned in a tidy condition. Researchers are required to follow handling guidelines issued by the Archives Centre.
- Please keep papers in the order that you found them (even if that does not appear to be the correct order to you).
- The use of photocopiers and scanners is not permitted. You may use your own equipment (e.g. camera, smartphone or tablet) to take photographs of documents, but use of flash photography or tripods is not permitted.
- When taking photographs your handling of the original papers should not change i.e. you should continue to practise safe handling according to the guidelines you are given and continue to be careful to retain the order of papers in the file.
The Reading Room is constantly monitored by security cameras. Researchers may be asked to show the contents of their file/bags on leaving the Archives Centre.
Accessibility
The Archives Centre Reading Room is located on the first floor, with access by stairs or lift. Provision will need to be made elsewhere for those researchers who cannot use the stairs to evacuate in the case of emergency. Please let us know in advance and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Toilets are located on the first floor, near to the entrance of the Reading Room. The nearest wheelchair accessible toilet is on the College’s main concourse.
The reading room is air-conditioned and can feel cold, with a particular difference from outside temperatures during summer months. Researchers are advised to bring warm clothing.
You will be provisionally assigned a specific desk before arrival, but we would be happy to move you elsewhere in our Reading Room. A hearing induction loop is available on request, as are a height-adjustable desk and colour overlay sheets to assist with reading.
The air conditioning system emits a constant low level noise in the Reading Room. Noise-cancelling headphones or similar aids are permitted.
There are four dedicated disabled parking spaces available for the use of visitors and members of the College with disabilities. Additional parking spaces can also be reserved.
A map of the College including the location of the Archives Centre is distributed as part of our booking confirmation, and a hard copy can be obtained from the Porter’s Lodge on arrival, where directions can also be provided. There is signage from the main entrance of the College to the Archives Centre. A member of the Archives team can also meet you at the front of College, or at our car parks, if arranged in advance.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your visit easier by e-mail to archives@chu.cam.ac.uk or by phone on 01223 336087.
