FAQS
Do I need to book an appointment to use the archives or John Blatchley Local Studies Library?
No. If you’re travelling some distance and want to guarantee a seat in the archive search-room or want to pre-order documents to be available on your arrival, you’ll be able to book a seat and pre-order up to four archives.
Appointments and pre-orders need to be submitted seven days in advance of your visit. You can book an appointment and submit up to four pre-orders here.
If you would like to reserve a microfilm / fiche reader, please email archives@suffolk.gov.uk with the required date, name and expected arrival time.
You can also order archives during your visit. There are four production runs throughout the day (10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3pm). You can order up to four items each run. The number of items available per customer may be reduced during exceptionally busy periods.
What should I do before I arrive?
Have a clear idea of what you want to research during your visit. We have lots of useful information on how to start your research.
What should I bring with me?
Paper or notepad, pencils (pens aren’t allowed in the search-room), a note of what you’re looking for, your reader’s ticket or ID if you need a new one, your laptop / camera / phone.
Permits for self-service photography can be purchased on the day. You will be asked to complete a form recording what items have been photographed.
We will ask you to put all bags, including laptop cases and handbags, into lockers during your visit. We do not have storage for larger luggage.
Do I need a reader's card?
If you are visiting us and wish to look at archives and some local studies items, you will need have an Archives Card. Details of how to obtain a card can be found here
Digital images
Some are available free of charge; others can be purchased and downloaded.
Once you have purchased a download you will be sent an email with a link to download your items.
How do I donate material?
The first step is to email archivists@suffolk.gov.uk for a discussion. If you have material that doesn't fit with our collection policy, we’ll try to suggest alternative archives that may be interested.
Do you have a lot of records? Give us a brief overview so the archivists can make an informed decision on whether they fit with our collecting guidelines. Donors can download a Listing form for donors or depositors or ask for a copy to be emailed to them. Use it to list your items in date order, describe what they are (including names, places, subjects mentioned). If you’ve a cardboard box or less, describe them as best you can when you email us and we’ll do the rest.
Let us know if they’re fragile or damaged so we can make the right arrangements to care for them. Highlight if you think there’s something confidential or sensitive among the items you’re looking to donate. We can still take them, but we may have to close them to the public for a set amount of time.
Items can be permanent donations, gifts, and bequests or people can loan them to the archives on a long-term loan. Find out more on our donating records page.
How do I find out about what’s happening at Suffolk Archives?
You can subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter for regular news, updates and priority booking for events here.
How do I volunteer at Suffolk Archives
We offer a range of roles that suit different interests and skills. From meeting and greeting to actively caring for our archive. Take a look at our volunteering and work experience pages or register your interest by emailing volunteer.archives@suffolk.gov.uk.