Using archives generally (online or in-person)
Know the repository – familiarize yourself with their web site. What is their subject focus, location, hours, policies & procedures, contact points, rules? Do this work before you visit or contact them. You'll get much better assistance.
Remember that research takes time -- archival repositories can't always respond immediately or within the timeframe you'd like so plan and work ahead.
Using collections in person?
- Contact the repository ahead of your visit to make sure the collections you want are available.
- Phone cameras are usually permitted, personal scanners not so much. Ask before you use any equipment because each archive and each collection has its own boundaries.
Using collections online?
- Contact the repository if you can’t determine if something is available digitally – sometimes it is but hasn’t been linked yet. Sometimes they will help students and digitize things for you for free or at a discount. Be sure you know how to describe/identify what you are interested in and where it is in their collections.
- Be aware of the extent of what has been digitized – all of the collection (rarely)? Selections? Specific series? Representative pieces? Ask what governed their digitizing priorities -- all of it costs money.
Best practices include...
- Keep a research journal to track where you’ve looked, where you’ve located items, search terms you’ve used, what you'd still like to find, etc.
- Take notes whether you’re using a physical or online collection
- What is the physical and web location of the collection?
- What is the preferred citation format for the collection?
- What collection number/title/box did you find this source in? The finding aid will tell you this.
- Are there other collections at this institution or digitally available on their web site might be related to the one you’re interested in?
- At the item level, what do you notice about materials (type of document, date of creation, correspondents, mode of production…)?
- What is the provenance of the collection?
- Are there any restrictions on its use?
- Be prepared and open to finding things you don't expect. Follow goat trails -- don't expect archival research to be linear, logical, or neat.
- Enjoy what you're doing - it's a privilege and a rare treat to look at the personal papers of another human being.