Visitor information

How to find Bolton Archives Service.

Opening Hours

Local Studies material is available whenever the search room is open. Make sure that you check details about the availability of Archiv+es and Reserve stock before planning a visit.

Archives and Reserve stock

The following time restrictions apply for accessing Archives and Reserve stock only:

Security and conservation

All visitors to the Archive and Local Studies search room are required to enter their full name and address in the register provided. All documents must be returned to a member of staff after use. No item may be removed from the search room except by a member of staff. Access to items which are very fragile or damaged may be refused in the interests of conservation.

All customers are expected to please put any bags (including handbags) or briefcases in the lockers provided. Please bring a current Library or Archives membership card or a £1 coin to serve as a returnable deposit for your locker key.

Writing materials

In the interests of conservation, pencils only may be used in the searchroom.

Microfilm readers

We have ten dual purpose Microfilm and Microfiche Readers which are available on a first come, first serve basis for sessions of 1, 2 or 3 hours.

At busy periods it will not be possible for users to have more than 3 successive hours on a machine.

Copies can be made on our Self Service Reader/Printer (see Fees and Charges).

Photocopying

Photocopies of books, documents, maps, photographs or any other item may only be obtained through a member of staff. The public are never allowed to make their own copies. We will refuse to copy an item where damage to the original might result, or where there would be an infringement of the copyright law. It is possible to order copies from some microform records, but this is more expensive than ordinary photocopying and payment will be requested in advance. For information about fees and charges please gp to other archives pages on the right of this page.

Services to schools

Bolton Archives and Local Studies Service is able to offer a limited service to Bolton Schools in partnership with Bolton Museum. Class visits must be arranged in advance and are only possible on Mondays.

The service provides sources on Victorian Bolton, historic records relating to the school or local area and access to census data, photographs, histories, directories and local maps.

Group visits

Visits can also be arranged for groups requiring introductory sessions or to look at specific items from the collections. These can normally only be arranged at the following times but may depend on the size of the group:

• Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.

A maximum of fifteen people can attend these visits and we request a minimum of six.

Please note that at least two weeks advance notice is required for group visits.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Family history workshops

A popular family history workshop is run by members of Bolton and Manchester Family History Society once a month on a Thursday evening on the Archives and Local Studies research area. Places are limited to fifteen people per session and can be booked through the Bolton Archives and Local Studies Service. For more information about researching Family trees at Bolton go to the Family History section.