Planning your Visit to the Archives

Whether you are traveling a long distance to visit the Archives or walking across campus, you should plan ahead for your visit. Here are a few suggestions to consider in preparation:

1. Inform the archival staff of the date(s) that you intend to visit and the materials you would like to see. Staff will notify you of any special circumstances regarding the facility or the materials and have your requested materials available for you upon arrival.
2. Confirm the Archive’s scheduled visiting hours.
3. Explore options for accommodations, food, parking and transportation.
4. Ask if there are limits on the amount of materials you may request during your visit. The amount of materials you may access could impact your work flow and time spent at the archives.
5. Review UW-Madison Archives guidelines for using materials.
6. Ask about reproduction policies and fees. Regulations and fees for requesting photocopies, scans, digital photography, microfilming and reproductions of audio-visual materials may vary.
7. Clarify policies and procedures related to technology including Internet access and use of personal computing devices.
8. Schedule additional time for the unexpected. Discoveries and new questions unearthed during research may lead you down different avenues than you had originally anticipated.

Excerpts from “Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research” by Laura Schmidt.

Contact the UW-Madison Archives for more information.