The BC Archives’ reference room is open by appointment only with increased capacity as of July 19, 2021. Please note that due to the limited number of research appointments available each day, there may be a delay of several weeks before we are able to facilitate onsite access.
To book an appointment, please fill out and submit the online form here:
As we experience a high volume of requests for appointments, we cannot guarantee requests for specific dates. After we have received your request, a staff member will be in contact before confirming your appointment date(s).
Although we no longer require a full list of requested records prior to your appointment, please note that a number of our records are held offsite or have privacy restrictions, which can delay access. We recommend that you contact us prior to your appointment to determine availability.
Please read our reopening FAQ and do not hesitate to contact us if you have further questions or require assistance accessing records.
The Freedom of Information and Protection Act gives the public a right of access to government records. You can contact the Royal BC Museum Privacy Unit if you have questions about accessing government records. You can reach Privacy staff at privacy@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Because of the size and complexity of our collections, we strongly recommend that you do some work and planning before you arrive at the BC Archives. Your visit will be more productive and is more likely to be successful.
Think about what you are looking for; the more specific your research goal, the easier it will be for us to identify the records you need and to assist you. Do some background reading and explore the Collections section on our website.
All persons arriving at the BC Archives to perform archival research must register before being admitted to the reference room. Registration can be done online or in person during reference room hours (Mon–Fri, 10:00 am–8:00 p.m; Sat, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm).
To register, persons must be at least 16 years old and must present photo identification at the time of registration. If registering online, please bring your photo identification with you on your first visit to validate your registration. Acceptable photo identification includes a driver’s licence, passport, status card, provincial ID card or valid university/college student card.
Individuals unable to provide acceptable photo identification, but who are accompanying a researcher who has acceptable photo identification, will receive a day pass. These individuals will be permitted entrance to the reference room for that day only to accompany another researcher but will not have permission to request original material or request the use of original material after full service hours.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian who will be responsible for the child during the entire visit.
Researchers will be required to scan their researcher card at the Security Desk when arriving and leaving the reference room.
The BC Archives reserves the right to refuse to provide service to persons whose motives or intentions appear questionable. Instances of abuse of and damage to material will result in the withdrawal of access privileges. Abusive treatment of staff by patrons or inappropriate and disruptive behaviour may also result in the withdrawal of access privileges.
Researchers resident in Canada are required to provide acceptable photo identification. Examples include:
Researchers resident outside of Canada are required to provide acceptable photo identification. Examples include:
The following cannot be used as a form of identification:
When you visit the BC Archives, the Reference Room is where you will do your research. Here, you can search our online catalogues and indexes, consult our finding aids and older card catalogues, browse, make copies of digitized images, read and copy from microfilmed records and newspapers, and request original records and library material. Outlets are available for laptop computers.
Electronic surveillance cameras are used in BC Archives reference room.
For purposes of the security and preservation of our collections, please note and adhere to the following guidelines and procedures.
Requests for retrieval of books, manuscripts, government records, sound recordings and moving images are accepted from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Retrieval of onsite material takes an average of 5–15 minutes, but special media (e.g., photographs and maps) can take 24 to 48 hours. Please call in advance if you plan to visit between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
For the security and protection of the records, researchers can view only four records at a time. Name, registration number and archives reference code or library call number must be printed clearly on a call slip to facilitate retrieval and pickup. Materials should be picked up promptly, particularly if access has been granted under special permission (e.g., a research agreement).
Some records may be unavailable because of access restrictions. See staff for instructions on how to determine the existence of restrictions and on how to request access to restricted records. If given permission to access restricted records, you must bring the letter of permission or Research Agreement with you every time you visit.
As many of our records are stored off site, and some have restricted access, it is a good idea to contact us well in advance to determine availability and, if possible, arrange access prior to your arrival. Records that are stored offsite may take from two to five days to retrieve. Arranging for authorized access to restricted records can take up to several weeks, depending on the circumstances.
Access to and use of government records at the BC Archives are subject to statutory restrictions, particularly those imposed by the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) (RSBC 1996, c. 165), the BC Adoption Act (RSBC 1996, c. 5) and the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (SC 2002, c. 1). Access to court records is not governed by FOIPPA but can be restricted by BC court rules. If records are restricted, the Information and Privacy Manager must be contacted.
Researchers who wish to consult records during evenings and weekends may arrange to have up to six items placed in a locker. Lockers are assigned on a first come first serve basis. Some special media records and records of a fragile nature will not be made available. The Archives reserves the right to limit the amount or type of material. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine if the requested records are available on site and without access restrictions.
Records placed in a locker are available from Security during evenings and weekends and must be returned to Security when finished.
All items placed in a locker will be refiled the following day. If you wish to use these items during the next full service day please leave a note with the records.
A locker form, with call slips attached, must be completed by 3:00 p.m. on the day the locker is required. For Saturday service the form must be completed by 3:00 the previous day. All locker forms must be approved by a staff member, and a new locker form must be completed each day.
Locker requests, with call numbers, may be phoned in to 250-387-1952.
