Visitor regulations and handling aids

Regulations for readers

All visitors to The National Archives who wish to access the collection must apply for a reader’s ticket, will be asked to watch a short video on document handling and will be subject to the visitor regulations of The National Archives.

When handling collection material in the reading rooms we ask that you:

  • Ensure your hands are clean and dry.
  • Do not use hand lotion or sanitiser – these can leave stains on the document surface.
  • Do not touch text directly – please use the paper markers provided to follow text when reading.
  • Do not lick your fingers when turning pages.
  • Keep documents in the same order that you received them – do not attempt to re-file the items in your preferred order.
  • Do not de-tag any file or remove individual items from files, covers or volumes.
  • Ensure your workstation has enough room for your document and any handling aids required.
  • Make sure documents do not hang from the table edge when in use.
  • Only handling aids may be placed onto documents – do not put cameras, devices or other objects onto the document surface.
  • Ensure all housings, boxes and tapes are replaced after use.

Handling aids

To assist with the safe handling of documents, a range of equipment is provided in all reading rooms at clearly marked locations. These include:

Supports:

  • Wedges – for supporting volumes or creating an angled reading surface.
  • Flat pads – can be used in a range of ways, including supporting wax seals, adding height to book wedges and creating tailored support for unusual document formats.
  • Spine inserts – for supporting spines of tight-back (i.e. paperback) volumes or hardback volumes with missing spines.
A group of three foam supports to assist with handling. They include a flat rectangular pad, a triangular wedge, and a thin, long arched foam support.

Support handling aids, including a flat pad, wedge and spine insert.

Weights:

  • Snake weights – gentle and flexible weights suitable for use with all materials and formats. They can be used over the corners of volumes or inside rolled documents to hold them in place.
  • Leather weights – larger and heavier than snake weights, they are useful with oversize documents; they can be used to prevent rolled material from falling from a table.
  • Glass weights – a very gentle weight for use with fragile documents; suitable for use with flat documents only, as they slide from angled surfaces.
  • Bag weights – available in 1kg or 2kg sizes, they can be stacked to apply additional weight on folded or rolled documents. Because of their weight, they are unsuitable for use with fragile documents.
A collection of different types of weights used for handling. This includes two long, silky white thin weights, two thicker long weights covered in leather, two circular glass weights, and two white rectangular bags filled with weights.

Weight handling aids, including snake weights, leather snake weights, glass weights and bag weights.

Please return all handling supports and weights to their designated areas once you have finished using them.

Gloves:

  • Some collection material may require the use of gloves to ensure safe access. When handling unhoused photographic material or metallic seals, they provide protection from damaging salts and oils in our skin and are available on request.
  • Documents with non-active mould growth or that have been chemically treated in the past may also require the use of gloves. Read further information on additional handling procedures for some of our documents.
  • Find out more information about the use of gloves at The National Archives.

Please note: If you are having difficulty handling a document – for example, if it is heavy or fragile – please ask a member of staff for help.

Below are examples showing the correct use of handling aids with archival documents. View an image in more detail by selecting it. Press the Back button in your browser to return.

Also in Handling documents