Guidance for working with original documents
When working with original documents, we ask that you please;
- Make sure that your hands are clean and dry – ask us for gloves if you are using photographs.
- Use supports and weights for volumes and maps – ask our staff if you are not sure where these are or how to use them.
- Use a soft leaded pencil for notes and rest your paper on the table, not the document.
- Keep individual items in a bundle in their original order.
- Always ask our staff before you take your own photographs.
- Purchase a camera pass from Reception and complete a copyright form.
- Ask us for protective equipment (mask and gloves), if you suffer from any dust allergies or respiratory conditions.
If you are using documents relating to living people, please be aware that your research may count as ‘processing’ under the Data Protection Act 2018. This may mean that we will ask you to sign a researcher undertaking before you can access certain material. If you’d like more information about this, please ask.