OO ver the past few months the publicareas at Kew have beenextensively remodelled. Whether youare a regular or a first timer to The

National Archives, this guide will tell youwhat to expect.

At its heart lies the Open Reading Room on theFirst Floor, which allows readers to use digitisedresources as well as those still available on microfilmwithout the need for a reader’s ticket. It is here thatyou can talk to experts about your research orbrowse the indexes. If you need to look at originaldocuments, such as ships’ logs and most war diaries,you will need to obtain a Reader’s Ticket and go intothe Document Reading Room. Meanwhile maps andmany pre-18th century records can be consulted inthe Map and Large Document Reading Room on theSecond Floor.

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Using our exclusive step-by-step guide Penny Law shows you how to use thenewly redesigned reading rooms andfacilities at The National Archives

The New Kew

1. Your first port of call on entering The National Archives is thewelcome desk. The staff here will give you a basic introduction to theArchives, although they no longer issue Reader’s Tickets, which is doneupstairs in the Open Reading Room.

2. Improved signposting of the reading rooms and facilities make iteasier for readers to find their way round.

3. You only need a Reader’s Ticket to read original documents. Getting aticket is very straightforward, although you need to remember to bringtwo pieces of identification, one proving your identity, such as a bankcard, and another proving your current address, like a recent utility bill.Tickets are valid for three years.

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V I S I T I N G T H E N A T I O N A L A R C H I V E S

4. The National Archives has well over a hundred leaflets and researchguides available in the reading rooms (and online) offering advice on themost common research topics.

5. At the end of Open Reading Room an extensive library, withthousands of books on British history and other subjects, can beconsulted by readers.

6. Throughout the reading rooms are many computer terminals which allow you to orderdocuments, and search the online catalogue and digitised resources from The NationalArchives and elsewhere.

7. A number of indexes to many series of records areavailable on cards. However, they are slowly disappearingas entries from them are being added to the online catalogue.

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8. This chart will show you wheremicrofilms are located.

9. The National Archives holds many of the most popularrecord classes on microfilm. Once you know the referencenumber of the particular roll you need to look at, yousimply take one of the blue “marker” boxes provided andput it in the place of the microfilm box you are taking outto use. When you are done with the microfilm you simplyswap them back again.

10. Also available in the OpenReading Room is a set of class listscontaining descriptions of therecords at The National Archives.These volumes can be a usefulsupplement to the onlinecatalogue.

11. There are always friendly, knowledgeable staff available tohelp readers with research queries or problems with the records.

12. The Open Reading Room has many printed reference books and guidesto help researchers.

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V I S I T I N G T H E N A T I O N A L A R C H I V E S

The National Archives offers a unique record of the past. Itsholdings cover the British Isles, the territories that formed theBritish Empire and the countries of the Commonwealth.Material varies from the Domesday Book to the most recentgovernment papers. There are many records for familyhistorians, including 19th and 20th century census returns, pre-1920 Army and Navy service records, and material relating toemigration and immigration.

Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; telephone; 020 8876 3444;website www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Opening hoursMonday, Friday, Saturday 9am–5pm; Wednesday 10am–5pm;Tuesday, Thursday 9am–7pm. Closed Sundays, Bank Holidaysand 5–8 December 2008.

Reader’s TicketsYou need a Reader’s Ticket to look at original documents in theDocument Reading Room or Map and Large Document ReadingRoom. You do not need a Reader’s Ticket to use the OpenReading Room or the restaurant, cyber café, shop and museum.You should bring proof of identity and address with you in caseyou decide you need a ticket. It is possible to pre-register for aticket at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/registration.You can use portable computers and digital cameras but notpens, coloured pencils or scanners, in the reading rooms.

Visiting The National Archives

13. You can consult original documents in the Document Reading Room. They areplaced in lockers or pigeon holes from where readers can collect them and takethem to their allocated seat. Documents normally take up to half an hour to bedelivered.

14. There is now seating for nearly 700 people in the variousreading rooms. There is also a new, separate area in which peoplewho are working on projects together are allowed to look at anddiscuss documents.

17. A welcome development is aseparate coffee bar near theentrance to the buildingserving hot and cold drinksand snacks, as well as arestaurant serving moresubstantial dishes. Thewhole area has been opened-up and re-decorated making itthe perfect place to relax atthe end of a busy day trawlingthrough the records in the Archives.

15. On the second floor we have an extensive map collection dating back tomedieval times and varying from sets of Ordnance Survey maps to plans ofroyal palaces.

16. There is a largelocker room on theground floor where youcan securely leave coatsand any personalbelongings. No bags areallowed to be taken intothe Document ReadingRoom apart from clearplastic ones which areprovided in the lockerroom.

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