Visiting the Archives

You don't need an appointment to visit the Reading Room - just come in during our opening hours. Please be aware that on Wednesdays and Thursdays we are unable to produce documents from the strong rooms between 12.30pm. and 1.30pm.

On your visit we will ask you for a Southampton City Library ticket, a SMART card or County Archive Research Network (CARN) ticket as a form of identification. CARN is a system which issues readers' tickets to allow holders admission to all record offices participating in the scheme. If you intend to use the office regularly it would be advisable to get a CARN ticket.

We can issue a CARN ticket here free of charge if you bring with you an official means of identification which includes your name and address (for example, a driving licence, utility bill or bank statement). If you only intend to visit once and don't need a CARN ticket then we can issue you with a day ticket for your visit. You will be asked to sign in our visitors' book, giving your name, address and purpose of visit.

Since most of the records in our care are irreplaceable, there are a few necessary guidelines which we ask you to follow to help us preserve Southampton's Archives for future generations:

• On arrival in the Reading Room all bags and cases (with the exception of small handbags) should be placed in the lockers provided.
• Pencils should be used at all times in the Reading Room - we have plenty of spare pencils if you forget to bring one with you. If you see someone using a pen in the Reading Room this is likely to be one of our volunteers doing indexing work for us.
• Please do not eat or drink in the Reading Room - this includes sweets and bottled water. We have a small room on site which can be used to take your own refreshments if you need a break from your study.
• Photography is only permitted with the permission of the Achivist on duty.
• We ask you to keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing other researchers. Mobile phones should be switched off whilst you are in the Reading Room.