Registration. Anyone entering the Research Room should complete a researcher registration form.
Lockers. Personal belongings (e.g. coats, jackets, umbrellas, purses, briefcases, computer covers/cases, folders, etc.) must be placed in lockers or coat closets located in the Research Room reception area. Paper and pencils only are permitted at research tables.
Services. Photocopies are available for a fee. Archives staff can usually complete copy orders of up to 50 pages/day for a researcher. Copies may be made by private copy services with prior arrangement with archives staff. Older, fragile and/or oversized materials may not be copied by private copy services. Microfilm copies are also available. Records will not be retrieved for researchers after 3:30 p.m.
Care and Handling. Please exercise all possible care to prevent damage to the records. Records should not be leaned on, written on, folded anew, traced or handled roughly. White, cotton gloves are provided by Archives staff to be worn when handling photographic materials. Unbound documents are to be kept in the order in which they are received. Use pencil only for taking notes. This precludes accidental ink marks on records. Pencils are available upon request.
Microfilm. Please use microfilm copies of archival records when available. Only microfilm may be used in the Microfilm Research Room. Use of State Archives reader–printers for viewing and printing non–State Archives microfilm is not permitted. Exceptions may be made for state agencies, which make prior arrangements with the reference archivist.
Equipment Use. Personal computers, photocopiers, scanners, tape recorders and hand–held digital cameras without flash may be used only with the prior permission of Archives staff.
Prohibited Activities. Eating, drinking, smoking, and loud talking are prohibited in the Research Rooms. Use of cellular phones is permitted outside the Research Room reception area near the elevators.
Records may not be removed from the Main Research Room. Theft or mutilation of records is a crime. The Research Room is equipped with closed–circuit television cameras which monitor and record activity in the room.
In order to prevent the theft of books and archival records state law authorizes the detention for a reasonable period of any person using these facilities suspected of committing "library theft". (Penal Code section 490.5)
