Reading Room Registration
Instructions for using the reading room
This page contains a transcript of the video normally required for reading room registration. The video is temporarily unavailable, so please read this transcript.
You may view these records in a supervised space in the library known as the Reading Room. This video describes the rules and procedures for using materials in the Reading Room. After completing your registration, you may request that materials be retrieved from secure storage and delivered to the Reading Room for your use.
Reading Room Policies and Guidelines
Latest time in the day items can be requested
All requests should be made at least 45 minutes before the library closes, and all items must be returned at least 15 minutes before the library closes.
Things that are prohibited from entering the reading room
Before entering, please understand that food, drink, scanners, and pens can cause irreparable damage to archival materials and are not allowed in the reading room.
Taking notes in the reading room
For note-taking purposes, you may bring a laptop, digital tablet, flash drive, camera, and a silent cell phone. We will provide paper and pencils for you.
Where you can talk on the phone while using the reading room:
Phone calls should only be made or received in the front lobby.
Securely storing personal items while in the reading room:
Before entering the reading room, place remaining personal items into the locker provided. Follow the instructions inside the locker door to create a secure combination.
Please be aware that all lockers are subject to search by Church History Library staff.
Identification required, and procedure for signing-in and signing-out
Each time you enter or exit the reading room, you must sign in or sign out. You will also need to provide a photo ID with your name and address.
Original item may not be viewable if its content is available in other formats
When available, and in order to preserve archival records, we will provide a microfilm, microfiche, or digital copy of the item you requested.
Using the microfilm readers
Instructions for using the microfilm readers are located next to each machine. If you need assistance with any machine in the reading room, please ask a staff member.
For obtaining images of hard copy items, you may use a camera or a cell phone. Please know that all copyright laws apply.
Ending your visit to the reading room
Collection items must never be removed from the reading room. When you are finished with your item, please return it to the reading room desk where a staff member will ask you to sign a copy of the call slip for that item. When signing the call slip, do not place it on the archival item.
Guidelines for handling collection items
Here are some additional handling guidelines for all items.
Clean hands with the provided hand wipes. Natural oils and dirt from skin can damage materials.
Handle all books, manuscripts, and photographs as little and as gently as possible. They’re often rare and fragile.
Rest hands, arms, or other objects on the table, not the archival item.
Use only a pencil when taking handwritten notes and ensure that note paper is not resting on an archival item as you write. Do not add or erase marks from books or manuscripts.
Keep material in folders or plastic sleeves. Maintain the original arrangement of the items in the folder.
View rare or fragile books in the cradle provided.
Use only clean, acid-free strips of paper as markers. These are available at the reading room desk.
Wear gloves only when handling photographs without plastic sleeves. If photos are housed in plastic sleeves, do not remove them from their sleeves.
Keep CDs, DVDs, and microfilms in their cases before and immediately after use.
Rewind the microfilm reel carefully before placing it back into its box.
Notify a staff member if you discover damaged material or out of sequence items.
Why these reading room rules and guidelines exist
Remember, following the guidelines in this video will help preserve historical materials so they can be used for research by future generations.
Food, drink, scanners, and pens are not allowed in the reading room.
For note-taking purposes, you may bring a laptop, digital tablet, flash drive, camera, and a silent cell phone.
We will provide paper and pencils for you.
Before entering the reading room, place remaining personal items into the locker provided. You must sign in or sign out each time you enter or exit the reading room.
We will provide a microfilm, microfiche, or digital copy of the item you requested.
You may view one item at a time.
Collection items must never be removed from the reading room.
Return each item to the reading room desk, where a staff member will ask you to sign a copy of the call slip for that item.
Follow handling guidelines when using items.
Video Conclusion
For more information about the Church History Library or to review the annual registration process, you may visit our website at churchhistorylibrary.org.
Registering to use the Reading Room
To complete your registration to use the reading room at the Church History Library, after you have read the following instructions about using the reading room, you must contact the Church History Library’s public services team and provide your contact information so they can finish creating your account.Video Transcript: Instructions for Using the Reading Room
Video Introduction
Hello, and welcome to the Church History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Viewing this video is part of an annual registration process for all guests who would like to use materials from the library’s secure storage, which is light, temperature, and humidity controlled, to protect our valuable records.You may view these records in a supervised space in the library known as the Reading Room. This video describes the rules and procedures for using materials in the Reading Room. After completing your registration, you may request that materials be retrieved from secure storage and delivered to the Reading Room for your use.
Reading Room Policies and Guidelines
Latest time in the day items can be requested
All requests should be made at least 45 minutes before the library closes, and all items must be returned at least 15 minutes before the library closes.
Things that are prohibited from entering the reading room
Before entering, please understand that food, drink, scanners, and pens can cause irreparable damage to archival materials and are not allowed in the reading room.
Taking notes in the reading room
For note-taking purposes, you may bring a laptop, digital tablet, flash drive, camera, and a silent cell phone. We will provide paper and pencils for you.
Where you can talk on the phone while using the reading room:
Phone calls should only be made or received in the front lobby.
Securely storing personal items while in the reading room:
Before entering the reading room, place remaining personal items into the locker provided. Follow the instructions inside the locker door to create a secure combination.
Please be aware that all lockers are subject to search by Church History Library staff.
Identification required, and procedure for signing-in and signing-out
Each time you enter or exit the reading room, you must sign in or sign out. You will also need to provide a photo ID with your name and address.
Original item may not be viewable if its content is available in other formats
When available, and in order to preserve archival records, we will provide a microfilm, microfiche, or digital copy of the item you requested.
Using the microfilm readers
Instructions for using the microfilm readers are located next to each machine. If you need assistance with any machine in the reading room, please ask a staff member.
Taking images of pages
For note-taking purposes, you may download images from microfilm to a flash drive or print a copy to the printer located in the main area of the library.For obtaining images of hard copy items, you may use a camera or a cell phone. Please know that all copyright laws apply.
Ending your visit to the reading room
Collection items must never be removed from the reading room. When you are finished with your item, please return it to the reading room desk where a staff member will ask you to sign a copy of the call slip for that item. When signing the call slip, do not place it on the archival item.
Guidelines for handling collection items
Here are some additional handling guidelines for all items.
Clean hands with the provided hand wipes. Natural oils and dirt from skin can damage materials.
Handle all books, manuscripts, and photographs as little and as gently as possible. They’re often rare and fragile.
Rest hands, arms, or other objects on the table, not the archival item.
Use only a pencil when taking handwritten notes and ensure that note paper is not resting on an archival item as you write. Do not add or erase marks from books or manuscripts.
Keep material in folders or plastic sleeves. Maintain the original arrangement of the items in the folder.
View rare or fragile books in the cradle provided.
Use only clean, acid-free strips of paper as markers. These are available at the reading room desk.
Wear gloves only when handling photographs without plastic sleeves. If photos are housed in plastic sleeves, do not remove them from their sleeves.
Keep CDs, DVDs, and microfilms in their cases before and immediately after use.
Rewind the microfilm reel carefully before placing it back into its box.
Notify a staff member if you discover damaged material or out of sequence items.
Why these reading room rules and guidelines exist
Remember, following the guidelines in this video will help preserve historical materials so they can be used for research by future generations.
Video Summary of Important Points
Let’s review. All requests for materials from secure storage should be made at least 45 minutes before the library closes, and all items must be returned at least 15 minutes before the library closes.Food, drink, scanners, and pens are not allowed in the reading room.
For note-taking purposes, you may bring a laptop, digital tablet, flash drive, camera, and a silent cell phone.
We will provide paper and pencils for you.
Before entering the reading room, place remaining personal items into the locker provided. You must sign in or sign out each time you enter or exit the reading room.
We will provide a microfilm, microfiche, or digital copy of the item you requested.
You may view one item at a time.
Collection items must never be removed from the reading room.
Return each item to the reading room desk, where a staff member will ask you to sign a copy of the call slip for that item.
Follow handling guidelines when using items.
Video Conclusion
For more information about the Church History Library or to review the annual registration process, you may visit our website at churchhistorylibrary.org.