Booking an appointment
Each appointment lasts for a full day’s opening hours (11am-6pm) and is for one person. If you want to bring someone with you, please contact us in advance of your visit via the contact button in the section 'About the Organiser' below.
On the booking form you can list up to 10 document reference numbers that you would like to view during your visit. Reference numbers need to be full file or item level document reference numbers where these are available on the catalogue so we can locate the items ready for your visit.
Once you open the booking form, you have 60 minutes to complete your booking so we recommend you have all of the document reference numbers you wish to request prior to opening up the booking form.
Identifying material to view
You can search our online catalogue or our records on the National Archives’ Discovery, check out our websites Connecting Histories and Birmingham Images or our blog the Iron Room to find out more about the collections and identify material you'd like to see. There is guidance on using the catalogue on our blog and in this video.
If any of the material you wish to request is marked 'closed (content)' or 'closed until assessed' on the catalogue, please contact us before proceeding with the booking process.
Please note that we are unable to make available fragile material (marked 'closed (condition)' on the catalogue) or material which we discover to be fragile when we go to retrieve it.
CARN ticket or Archives Card
All visitors to the Wolfson Centre will need to have either a valid CARN reader’s ticket or an Archives Card (which has superseded the CARN ticket system) and you will be asked for the card number on the booking form. If you don't have an Archives Card, please go to the Archives Card website to apply for one. You will need to bring your CARN ticket/Archives card when you visit as archival material cannot be seen without this.
Making copies of material
If you want to make copies of material you view, you will need to bring a camera device to take photographs (without flash) during your visit. There is a daily charge of £3.50 for making copies of material. Please read the terms and agree to them on the online booking form. Payment will be taken when you visit us. Don’t worry if you’re unsure whether you will need to make any copies before you visit, you will only be charged if you do on the day.
Searchroom procedures
When you book, you will be asked to agree to our ‘Searchroom Procedures’. Please do familiarise yourself with these.
