Finding your way around a record office can be daunting, so we
have developed this page to guide you through each section of our
public rooms.
Before you visit
Check our opening times. This is particularly important for
Saturdays, as we do not open every weekend. If you have a
disability,
click here to find out about our facilities for disabled
people. We strongly recommend that disabled users contact us in
advance of visiting (particularly for a first visit).
You will need a pencil to take your notes, as we do not allow
pens to be used near original documents. You can buy pencils at LMA
if necessary.
If you are in any doubt about whether LMA is the right place for
you to visit, please
contact the enquiry team. There is a great deal of information
about our holdings and services on this website, so take a look
around.
Self service photography
LMA allows users to bring their own cameras to take pictures of
documents. You can apply for a self service photography permit
which is valid for one day. A charge of £2.50 is payable per day
for the permit which allows the use of digital and traditional
cameras.
Flash photography is not permitted under any circumstances -
users of this service will be required to demonstrate that they can
turn their flash off.
You need to complete the form below and comply with all listed
conditions before using the service – please bring it along with
your camera.
Download the self service photography form
here (62kb)
When you arrive
Your bag will be checked by a member of our security staff. You
can pick up a copy of the 'welcome' leaflet, which repeats the
information on this page and includes a plan of the public rooms to
help you find your way around. All public rooms in LMA are on the
first floor - take the stairs or the lift.
Locker and refreshments room – mezzanine floor
All coats and bags must be left in the locker room before entry
to the reading and reference rooms. This is to ensure safety and
security in the public rooms. Lockers and coat racks are located
here, and are free of charge.
If you wish to take notebooks and pencils etc to use during your
visit, you may use a clear plastic carrier bag, which we will
supply free of charge. Please return the bags to reception once you
have finished with them so that they can be reused by other
readers.
Light refreshments and hot and cold drinks are available from
vending machines here. Food and drink can be consumed here (no food
or drink is allowed in the public rooms). A public pay phone is
also available here.
Reception area – first floor
In the reception area you can
- Buy stationery, books, postcards, posters and other items for
sale.
- Pay for and collect any copies of documents you may have
ordered.
- Meet here for any events or training sessions
Public toilets are located next to the reception area on this
floor.
Please note: No coats or bags are allowed past this
point in the building.
Reference room
This room contains:
- The lists giving the reference numbers you need to order
documents from our network of strongrooms.
- The microfilm collection, with microfilm viewers and
self-service microfilm printers. The lists will always say when a
document is on film. Microfilm references begin with an 'X'.
- The core of our 100,000 volume library.
- Printed maps, including bomb damage and Ordnance Survey
maps.
- A self-service photocopier.
- Change machines.
- Information leaflets on selected records. These leaflets are
also available on this website - click on the link on the
left.
In the reference room you should look for the laminated 'Use
LMA' guides. These are laminated cards that guide you step by step
through using:
- London Generations major genealogical sources
- The main archives
- The library
- Maps and plans
- Prints and photographs
- Getting copies, ordering documents, using microfilms and
handling documents.
Reading room
The majority of the documents at LMA must be ordered from the
strongrooms. All such original material must be viewed in the
reading room.
- Look at the electronic noticeboards for collection information
e.g. '1.20 orders now available' means all documents ordered
between 1.00pm and 1.20pm are now ready to be seen.
- Give your name to the staff behind the reading room counter and
they will give you your documents one at a time.
- Please use pencil for all note-taking in the reading room to
avoid the risk of irreversible damage to documents.
- Staff can give advice on how documents may be copied. Documents
from the reading room cannot be copied on the self service
photocopier in the Reference Room.
Staff will advise on how to handle the documents to keep them in
the best condition. Please remember, the documents at LMA are all
precious - help us preserve them for future generations to
enjoy.