Archives and Library FAQs

We are only able to reopen our search room for a limited number of visitors to ensure appropriate social distancing at all times. Your booking is for one person only and you cannot bring anyone with you unless they book a visit themselves.

Booking in advance will also help ensure that we have sufficient time to retrieve material and to quarantine items. You will be able to order up to 10 items when you book your visit and we will confirm their availability with you in advance.

This has not changed. You can order up to 10 items in advance - an item can be a roll of drawings; a photograph album; a manuscript folder; a folder of flat drawings - but we cannot provide access to more material on the day of your visit.

We are quarantining material for 72 hours after handling to minimise the risk of infection. You are welcome to make another appointment to consult the material on a future date.

We are discouraging the uncontrolled handling of books in line with Scottish Government guidance. This will help minimise the risk of contamination.

You can request access to books in advance – we will retrieve and quarantine them – and have them awaiting your visit.

For safety of our visitors, there will be no access to any of the computers.

You are welcome to bring your own device to consult the online services using the free wifi.

Yes, we will supply the appropriate document handling aids, including foam wedges and weights. These will be cleaned and quarantined for 72 hours before and after you use them.

You can make your own copies of material using a telephone or camera on completion of the usual permissions form. We will also be able to take orders for high resolution copies of material although these will take longer to deliver than before.

Yes, all visitors are required by law to wear face coverings during their visit unless you are exempt. If this is the case, please let us know in advance.

Yes, although there are restrictions in place. Visitors are asked to operate the ‘Unoccupied’ or ‘Occupied’ signage on the doors to indicate occupancy.

Yes, the car park will be available for pre-booked visitors.