Ford Library Research Room Policies and Procedures

The following procedures and processes for conducting on-site research at the Ford Library are in effect.

Research Room Operations:

  • The research room is open Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. by scheduled appointment only. Appointments are made on a first come, first served basis, following consultation with an archivist.
  • The Library is closed on Federal holidays. View a list of Federal Holidays and Research Room Closings here.
  • Directions to the Library in Ann Arbor.
  • No smoking is allowed in the Library.
  • Food and drink are permitted in the lobby only. Ask a staff member about nearby lunch options.
  • There is no pulling of archival material between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. or after 4:30 p.m.

Research Appointments:

  • Researchers must consult with an archivist by submitting an email with preliminary information to ford.library@nara.gov.
  • Appointments are for an entire day.
  • Researchers will sign-in on the research room register each day upon arrival.

Researcher Registration and Orientation:

  • Researcher registration will be necessary for first-time researchers and for researchers with expired researcher cards. Researcher cards expire after one year.
  • To register or renew a researcher card:
    • Ford Library staff will send the research application form and orientation materials to the researcher, instructing them to review the material prior to their visit.
    • If a researcher does not complete the orientation prior to arrival at the Library, they may complete the registration overview on-site using the Ford Library’s public access computers or through the Library’s Wi-Fi on their phone, tablet, or laptop.
    • Researchers will need to present a government issued photo ID card to the registration staff to be issued a researcher ID card.
    • Researchers will use their card number when signing-in and one box request slips.

Resources Available in the Research Room:

  • Researchers may use the public access computers, microfiche reader, and self-service photocopier.
  • Pencils and paper for taking notes will be provided. When possible, researchers are encouraged to take notes using their phone, tablet, laptop, or other device.
  • Lockers are available for researchers to store their personal belongings while conducting research.
  • The Library has camera tripods available for researcher use.

What can be Brought into the Research Room:

  • Researchers should leave spiral binders, backpacks, bags, and other personal belongings in Library lockers.
  • Pencils and Library literature and forms may be brought into the research room.
  • Researchers may bring their own laptop or other equipment (on the approved NARA list) to copy materials and should discuss the options for reproducing specific materials during the orientation process.
  • Cell phones are permitted, but must be placed in silent/vibrate mode, and calls must be completed outside of the research room.

Requesting Materials:

  • Researchers will provide an initial list of up to 10 boxes to pull in advance of their visit.
  • For the initial request, pull slips will be filled out by Ford Library staff members to ensure material is pulled before the researcher arrives at the facility. Researchers will fill out their own pull slips for any additional pulls.
  • Advanced consultation with staff is required to access specially protected holdings or to submit large review-on-demand requests.

Use of Materials:

  • Handle material with care and only in the research room.
  • Do not fold, write on, unstaple or otherwise handle documents in ways likely to damage them.
  • Have one box on your table at a time, and only remove one folder from the box at a time.
  • Within a folder, please leave each item exactly as you found it. If items seem disarranged, tell the staff member at the research room desk.
  • You alone may use the material checked-out to you. Please do not pass material along to another researcher in the research room, or exchange material with them.
  • If you are not done with your boxes at the end of the day, we will be happy to hold your cart overnight or sometimes longer.
  • The removal of historical materials from the research room or their mutilation is forbidden by law and punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (18 USC 2071).

Exit Inspection:

  • Upon completion of research, Ford Library staff will inspect each researcher’s personal property for record material. This includes laptops, scanners, and other equipment where record material could be mistakenly placed.

Last Updated: July 23, 2024