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Information for Researchers at the National Archives at College Park, MD
Research at the National Archives in College Park
The National Archives in College Park, Maryland, opened for research on January 3, 1994. Records held there include the cartographic and architectural holdings; the Nixon Presidential Materials; electronic records; motion picture, sound, and video records; the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection; still pictures; the Berlin Documents Center microfilm; and textual records from most civilian agencies and military records dating from World War II.
Pull times:
Records are retrieved Monday through Friday for use in the research rooms at:
- 10:00 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m.,
- 1:30 p.m.,
- 2:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there is an additional pull at 3:30 p.m. There are no pulls on Saturday.
The Nixon tapes are available, self-service, during regular Research Room hours.
Most of the microfilm
collection is stored in research rooms for self-service retrieval. Reference copies of
some videos, still pictures,
and maps are housed in specialized research rooms for self-service use.
Researchers must be at least age 14.
Phone Numbers (area code 301)
- General reference information: 837-2000
- Nixon Library (College Park) reference: 837-3290
- Cartographic reference: 837-3200
- Military records textual reference: 837-3510
- Civilian records textual reference: 837-3480
- Motion Picture, Sound, & Video reference: 837-0526
- Electronic Records reference: 837-0470
- JFK Assassination Records reference: 837-3190
- Still Picture reference: 837-0561
Orientation and Research Room Procedures
New researchers will view a short PowerPoint orientation emphasizing the safe handling of records and explaining the most basic research procedures, responsibilities, and rules. New researchers should plan for a total of 15-20 minutes to complete the registration process.
Research Rooms
The Research Center contains these rooms:
- Textual: Floor 2
- Electronic Records: Floor 2
- Cartographic and Architectural: Floor 3
- Library: Floor 3
- Motion Picture, Sound, and Video: Floor 4
- Microfilm: Floor 4
- Still Picture: Floor 5
Summary of Research Room Rules
Paper and pencils are provided to researchers. Pens and notebooks are not allowed.
Researchers may bring approved loose paper research notes, hand-held wallets, and coin purses into research rooms, but those items are subject to inspection when researchers enter or leave the research complex.
Researchers may not bring briefcases, backpacks, purses, boxes, or other large containers into the research rooms.
Lockers are available. A quarter is required, but is refunded when the locker key is returned. The lockers are emptied nightly.
Please see the following additional information:
- What's Allowed in the Research Rooms
- Rules for Using Historical Records in the National Archives [GIL 57]
Security
Electronic surveillance is in use.
Self-Service Copying
Paper to paper copies of most documents can be made on self-service copiers at a cost of 25¢ per page. Microfilm to paper copies are 50¢ per image. Before copying any textual records researchers must show a staff member the original material they wish to duplicate. Read more about copying...
A debit card system is used to pay for self-service copies. You may use your research card as a debit card. Machines to add money are located in the research rooms. These machines accept bills and credit cards. Do not bring coins. Unused money on your card cannot be refunded. When the cashier is closed (after 4:30 Mon-Fri and all day Sat), it is not possible to get change in the building.
Researchers may copy certain audiovisual records using their own equipment or may rent the use of a dubbing station available in the research room. For details, call the general reference number to obtain the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Research Room orientation handout. Some audiovisual records may not be copied such as the Nixon White House tapes and copyrighted newsreels.
Special Equipment
Researchers may use their own personal computers (laptops, notebooks, etc.), approved scanners, tape recorders, tape decks, cameras (we provide copy stands for small format cameras only), and other equipment in the Research Center, but cases, bags, and boxes must remain in lockers located in the basement. Equipment carts are available in Room 1000. Personal copiers and auto-feed or hand-held scanners are not permitted.
Contact Information
- Customer Service Center Telephone Number: 1-866-325-7208
- Contact us by e-mail
- NARA Organizational Phone List
- NARA Employee Locator
See also The National Archives in the Nation's Capital, Information for Researchers, General Information Leaflet 71.
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