This week I would like to discuss how to use an archive and how to best utilize the resources within them, whether it be for audio-visual material or otherwise. I would like to preface this discussion by stating that this is not by any means a comprehensive guide on how to use your university’s resources. It is impossible for me to give a step-by-step guide on how to do research in an archive because every archive has a different system. ALWAYS consult the staff whenever you can; it cannot be stressed enough. They are the best resource for everything and they know far more about their collections and databases than you or I probably ever will. They are an invaluable research tool. That being said, don’t expect them to do your research for you. However, if you do consult them, your research will go much more smoothly and save you from searching in places that won’t be useful to your topic, thereby saving you valuable time. This goes for libraries and librarians as well.
As for using archives for your research, I would like to talk about two different experiences on using the reading room (the room where you will perform all your research) or the viewing room (a similar concept as the reading room, but instead of reading, you are viewing). The reason I want to talk about both is that while this is a blog focusing on audio-visual research, if you recall my most previous post titeld "Research and the Role of the Archivist", then you will know that viewing a film isn’t enough when it comes to research. You must also find supplementary materials that will help you to dig out important information on these audio-visual materials. For this exercise, I have done research at both UGA’s Brown Media Archive and Emory University’s MARBL (Manuscript and Rare Book Library). Most archives have similar rules in terms of how to use the reading rooms, but always be prepared by consulting the institution’s webs tie on such rules before your visit as many archives have rules that are specific to that institution. Below are the links to both UGA’s and Emory’s rules on how to use the reading rooms.
University of Georgia's Special Collections' Policies and Procedures
MARBL at Emory University: Using the Reading Room
I went to do research at Emory University for a digital project in another class, but I thought it would be useful to share my experience when using paper archives. Here, as with UGA, I was required to register online prior to my visit and request materials in advance (exactly how long in advance will be stated on the website). As is the case with many archives, MARBL requires you to present a picture ID to use the reading room (some schools are either more or less strict on access to the archives). Then you must put all of your belongings in a locker, with the exception of materials the staff allow you to bring in for research (listed on the website). MARBL provides you with colored paper to keep track of what papers come in and out of the archive). You often are allowed to take pictures with a camera phone, but at MARBL, digital cameras require special permissions and you must record on a provided form how many images you took with your camera phone. Here you are also allowed to bring in your laptop without its case.
For my research at UGA, I needed to view some town films that would be useful in my research on home movies. I had to undergo a couple of preliminary steps before entering the viewing room. Most preliminary steps are similar to Emory’s: Using a locker for your belongings (besides the ones they allow you to bring), show a picture ID, etc. I had to register the library’s database and request materials through their finding aids. The database is where you can find all of the collections that the library has available. You must then be sure to request the materials (if you are unsure how to do this, do not hesitate to contact the staff at the reference desk; they are extremely helpful and would be happy to guide you through this step). Once you request materials and make an appointment to use the room, you can now start your research! Viewing rooms are usually different than reading rooms in that there are digital files on a television that you are watching rather than searching through physical files, so you are not as restricted in the things you are allowed to bring into the room (pens being the primary item, food and drink are still not allowed). Using the research you’ve done with paper archive combined with viewing the films is the most comprehensive way to d]perform your research.
Again, this is by no means a complete guide, it is just a glimpse into what research at an archive looks like. It may seem daunting, but if you read the rules beforehand and come to the archive prepared, you’ll be fine. The archives staff wants you to utilize these resources, so they are always happy to help out students who have a topic in mind, but are unsure of where to start using primary sources that are often located inside of archives.
As always, feel free to leave comments if you have anything you would like to add or questions about the process.
As for using archives for your research, I would like to talk about two different experiences on using the reading room (the room where you will perform all your research) or the viewing room (a similar concept as the reading room, but instead of reading, you are viewing). The reason I want to talk about both is that while this is a blog focusing on audio-visual research, if you recall my most previous post titeld "Research and the Role of the Archivist", then you will know that viewing a film isn’t enough when it comes to research. You must also find supplementary materials that will help you to dig out important information on these audio-visual materials. For this exercise, I have done research at both UGA’s Brown Media Archive and Emory University’s MARBL (Manuscript and Rare Book Library). Most archives have similar rules in terms of how to use the reading rooms, but always be prepared by consulting the institution’s webs tie on such rules before your visit as many archives have rules that are specific to that institution. Below are the links to both UGA’s and Emory’s rules on how to use the reading rooms.
University of Georgia's Special Collections' Policies and Procedures
MARBL at Emory University: Using the Reading Room
I went to do research at Emory University for a digital project in another class, but I thought it would be useful to share my experience when using paper archives. Here, as with UGA, I was required to register online prior to my visit and request materials in advance (exactly how long in advance will be stated on the website). As is the case with many archives, MARBL requires you to present a picture ID to use the reading room (some schools are either more or less strict on access to the archives). Then you must put all of your belongings in a locker, with the exception of materials the staff allow you to bring in for research (listed on the website). MARBL provides you with colored paper to keep track of what papers come in and out of the archive). You often are allowed to take pictures with a camera phone, but at MARBL, digital cameras require special permissions and you must record on a provided form how many images you took with your camera phone. Here you are also allowed to bring in your laptop without its case.
For my research at UGA, I needed to view some town films that would be useful in my research on home movies. I had to undergo a couple of preliminary steps before entering the viewing room. Most preliminary steps are similar to Emory’s: Using a locker for your belongings (besides the ones they allow you to bring), show a picture ID, etc. I had to register the library’s database and request materials through their finding aids. The database is where you can find all of the collections that the library has available. You must then be sure to request the materials (if you are unsure how to do this, do not hesitate to contact the staff at the reference desk; they are extremely helpful and would be happy to guide you through this step). Once you request materials and make an appointment to use the room, you can now start your research! Viewing rooms are usually different than reading rooms in that there are digital files on a television that you are watching rather than searching through physical files, so you are not as restricted in the things you are allowed to bring into the room (pens being the primary item, food and drink are still not allowed). Using the research you’ve done with paper archive combined with viewing the films is the most comprehensive way to d]perform your research.
Again, this is by no means a complete guide, it is just a glimpse into what research at an archive looks like. It may seem daunting, but if you read the rules beforehand and come to the archive prepared, you’ll be fine. The archives staff wants you to utilize these resources, so they are always happy to help out students who have a topic in mind, but are unsure of where to start using primary sources that are often located inside of archives.
As always, feel free to leave comments if you have anything you would like to add or questions about the process.