Research Frequently Asked Questions
Our staff has compiled the mostly commonly asked questions related to doing research at the Ford Library.
Finding Aids
Ford Library collection in Ann Arbor. Every collection that is open to research has its own finding aid--a narrative explanation and summation of contents plus a list of folder titles.
Museum Collections
The Ford Museum in Grand Rapids holds around 19,000 artifacts, an assortment of historical artifacts that illustrate the life and times of Gerald R. Ford. These objects include gifts received by the Gerald Ford throughout his life, including head of state and American bicentennial gifts received while President.
AV Records
The Ford Library has extensive audiovisual holdings in many formats. Most items are among the historical materials donated to the U.S. Government by President Ford.
Anyone may use the Ford Library's research collections. Scholars, mass media production staff, teachers, journalists, schoolchildren, attorneys, current government officials, and interested citizens are typical users by email, mail, and telephone. On-site users are typically less diverse, but all are welcome. Most on-site are faculty and students pursuing academic projects. On-site researchers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult researcher.
Yes! Two research grant programs are available to support research in the holdings of the Gerald R. Ford Library. For more information, please visit Research Grants and Award Programs.
Daily Diary and Photo Contact Sheets
The Daily Diary is a minute-by-minute log of President Ford's official and social activities, noting attendees at meetings and persons to whom he spoke by telephone, and where and when these contacts took place along with related photo contact sheets.
Review for Access
Several Library collections require significant advance consultation with an archivist before materials can be released. These collections are well-arranged and have accurate public finding aids, but Library staff have not reviewed all contents for privacy, national security, or other restrictable information.