Services to the public

We provide a range of services to visiting members of the public, remote users and outside organisations, who can contact us by post, e-mail, fax or telephone. For our contact details please click here.

More complex enquiries are best made in writing or by email in advance of any visit.

Public searchroom

Our searchroom is a friendly environment designed to best ensure the accessibility of our stock, efficient enquiry handling and the care of the books and documents in our custody. We ask that you observe certain procedures to assist in achieving a successful visit and draw your attention to the library service bye-laws and archives rules and regulations, copies of which are obtainable on first visit.

Use of the searchroom is free except for requesting building plans for business or non-educational use. A minimum charge of £5.00 per plan number applies. Searchroom facilities comprise archives document tables, local studies tables, power points, public access PCs with internet access and MS Office suite, colour scanner, black and white and colour computer printers, local studies microfiche readers, local studies and archives microfilm readers and film/fiche reader printers, photocopier, 1901 Census tokens, CityArk archives database and imagebase, archives manual finding aids and local studies stock. Laptops are welcome but users will be asked to present an electrician's inspection certificate unless their hardware is battery powered.

Use of the document tables and film/fiche readers is strictly by appointment. Computer users need to register first and an appointment is recommended.

Our other facilities are available without formality.

Photocopying

Photocopying of archival documents is carried out by staff.

Archival documents (other than volumes) under size A3 may be photocopied on completion of the appropriate form, which can be obtained from searchroom staff, through the post or by e-mail. The current charge is 50p. per A4 and 75p. per A3 copy plus postage. Conservation reasons prevent the photocopying of archival volumes and documents larger than A3. Some documents smaller than A3 may also not be photocopied depending on suitability.

Microfilming

Microfilming of unfilmed original archives or duplication of existing microfilms can be arranged, prices available on application.

Photography

We permit self-service digital photography subject to completion of the relevant form. We make a £3.90 handling charge per visit plus a 50p. charge per exposure. We ask for a disc containing copies of your images to be lodged with us.

Conventional photography must only be undertaken through a professional photographer arranged by staff, charges available on application.

Certificates

The archivist can supply formal baptism certificates transcribed from Church of England registers. A statutory charge of £6.00 applies plus 50p. postage and packing.

Marriage certificates from Church of England or Nonconformist marriage register entries post-1 July 1837 can be supplied for the statutory charge of £6.50 plus 50p. postage and packing. Conviction certificates from magistrates' court registers are free but issuable only if the registers are over 30 years old or if permission has been obtained from a solicitor, the police or magistrates' court.

Talks, presentations and exhibitions

Staff are willing to make visits to, or host visits by organisations, for the purpose of giving talks or making presentations on the archives and local studies service. A fee may be chargeable.

We are also willing to discuss mounting exhibitions especially collaboratively, whether mounted in the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre or off-site. We can advise organisations on mounting exhibitions and have a limited range of exhibition materials including display cases, which can be loaned.

Staff can undertake a limited amount of educational outreach on or off-site. However, educational exploitation of archives is chiefly undertaken by the education officer at the Guildhall Museum, High Street, Rochester (01634 848717)

Further information on the educational use of archives can be found here