Practical information website and reading room

When you want to study original records, you can make an online reservation. You can order reproductions of records or take pictures of the original documents yourself.

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#Make an online reservation

When you want to study original records, you can make an online reservation. You simultaneously reserve a seat in the reading room. The reserved documents will be collected for you from the repository and brought to the reading room for you to study. 

Click on an available record to make a reservation

When you order a record, you receive a reservation number. You need this number to collect the reserved records at the issuing desk.

If you come across other records you want to study, you can order them on one of the computers at hand. When you use WIFI, you can make reservations with your own laptop.

The reading room is accessible free of charge. However, in order to visit the reading room, you need a visitor pass. If you don’t already have a visitor pass, you can have one made at the information desk on presentation of a valid passport. 

Reading room house rules

Collect your records at the issuing desk

You can collect the reserved records at the issuing desk. The reservation number appears on the displays in the reading room, the information centre and the entrance hall as soon as your order is ready to be collected. You can have a maximum of 3 boxes on your desk at a time.

When you’ve collected your records, you can take a seat where you like. Some tables have sockets for laptops. Please note that the large table in the middle of the reading room is reserved for visitors consulting documents with restricted access.

Reading room facilities

To make the reading of thick tomes more comfortable, so called reading cushions and lead-weighted bookmarks are at your disposal in the reading room. If you want to view negatives, you can use the light box. When handling negatives – and photographs – you have to wear gloves. Gloves are available at the issuing desk. Large tables at the far side of the Reading Room are at your disposal for studying maps. If you want, you can leave your camera or laptop in one of the lockers.

Renewing an order

If you don’t have enough time to consult all your ordered records, you can renew your reservation for a next visit. This visit has to take place within the next 3 working days. Please fill out the form at the issuing desk and inform the assistant that you want to renew your reservation. To secure renewing of the order, please  make sure you do so 15 minutes before closing time. If you wait until closing time there is a possibility that, in the ‘last minute’ commotion, your records accidently will be brought back to the deposit.

#You can make use of the scanner in the reading room. Make sure to bring you own USB flash drive.

It is allowed to take photographs of items from the archives. The following terms and conditions apply:

  • All items with public access can be photographed.
  • No item with restricted access can be photographed or copied.
  • When publishing photographs, or when sharing on social media, do make sure not to violate copyrights. Any judicial consequences are your own responsibility.

Order reproductions in the reading room

Reproductions (scans or photocopies) of records can be ordered at the issuing desk. Often photocopies or scans can be made straightaway.

Order reproductions online

Order scans online by clicking the inventory number and choosing the 'Order scans' option. The fee per inventory number is € 16,75. You will receive a maximum of 250 scans.

For maps > A2 we will send you a sales quote for the additional scanning costs.

#For questions on the delivery of your order, reading room facilities or other practical issues, you can turn to the issuing desk.

If you need help with your research, you can ask the archivist at the information desk for assistance. If you have a question about a record you’re studying in the reading room, please ask the archivists to come to your table. We urge you not to bring the record concerned with you to the information desk.