Check here for the latest service updates, including temporary changes to opening hours and any access disruptions.

Appointment times for viewing archives and the electoral register are:

Thursdays

• 10am – 11am
• 11:30am – 12:30pm
• 2pm – 4pm
• 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Appointment times for Electoral Register viewing only:

Fridays

25-minute appointments between 10:00am and 1:25pm

First Saturday of every month

• 10am – 11am
• 11am – 12pm
• 12pm – 1pm
• 1pm – 2pm

Please note, on Saturdays a maximum of 2 hours may be booked per researcher to accommodate demand.

All bookings are made at the archivists discretion.

The Archive and Local Studies Searchroom is open for prebooked appointment slots every Thursday and on the first Saturday of every month. See times below. Appointments can be booked by emailing local.studies@sutton.gov.uk or sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk 

Appointments are for one person only, if you would like to bring someone with you please let us know at the time of booking

If you are no longer able to attend an event or booking, please contact us at  local.studies@sutton.gov.uk so we may offer the slot to someone else. Repeated failure to show and being late to appointments may affect your future booking opportunities.

Bookings for archive production must be made in advance in order to allow sufficient time for selection and production of records.  For Thursday bookings, this will be by 10am on the preceding Tuesday. For Saturdays, by 10am on the preceding Thursday. 

The Full Electoral Register is also available for consultation on Friday mornings. 25 minute appointments must be pre-booked, and you will be asked to provide the address and years you wish to consult in advance. 

In advance of your visit you will need to tell us:

Items you wish to request

If you require PC use - only one PC will be operational per session, but you are welcome to bring a laptop.  

If you require use of the Microfiche/film readers - Please note, you will need to tell us which films you require in advance. These will be loaded and unloaded by Archives staff. 

The archive reference number of the records you wish to see (search our catalogue at http://www.calmhosting01.com/LBSutton/Calmview/ OR a detailed description of the material you hope to see/your research subject, including subject/names/dates/locations/format.  If you are unsure about this information, please email local.studies@sutton.gov.uk for advice, giving as much detail as possible. We will inform you in advance what we are likely to have of relevance. Please note that we require notice of all archive retrievals by 10am on the Tuesday preceding your appointment.

Any supplementary local material you may need to see - OS Maps/Photos/Pamphlets/Books. You may browse these at your leisure, but we can assist with call numbers and searching.

You will be required to provide ID (Sutton Library or CARN card, or photo ID such as driving licence/passport) and complete a new user form (if you have not visited us before).  You will also need to complete the visitor log. We will ask you to fill out the form via tablet, and can provide a printed sheet if necessary.  The information we record is used for security and statistical purposes respectively. We comply with GDPR regulation in this regard and will not keep your personal details for any other purpose. 

Photos, pamphlets and maps can be pulled in advance or you may browse drawers while you are here. Staff can assist with help searching call cards.

To help preserve the collections no food, drinks, pens, sharp objects, coats or bags are allowed in the Search Room. On arriving you will need to put personal belongings in our office.

In the search room you will be able to bring in:

• pencils (pens are not permitted in order to protect archival documents from possible leaks and marks)
• mobile phones/laptop/tablet plus relevant chargers
• camera
• notebook
• money/small purse/wallet
• Headphones/ear plugs

Please wash your hands with soap and water in advance of entering the searchroom, and again when you leave. We do not advise the use of anti-bacterial spray or gel when handling archives but you are welcome to wear nitrile gloves for your own protection if you prefer. Toilets with handwashing facilities are available on level 2A, close to the searchroom.

We have postcards, books and maps relating to the area on sale. Please bring cash if you wish to purchase any items.

Photography of archives is only permitted at the discretion of the archive staff, subject to usual regulations. You will need to either pay per image taken or for a photography day or year pass. The staff member on the desk can arrange this for you on the day, we can accept cash or card payments.

You can use your hand-held camera, phone, tablet or laptop to take still images of documents. Flash photography is not permitted. Throughout your visit, you will need to complete a form which records the items you have taken images of, information about permissions, purpose of image taken, etc. Alternatively, at a cost we can provide you with low or high resolution images.

Copyright applies to all records. Please ask a member of staff for details.

To use the photocopier, you must ask a staff member for assistance. 

Print requests will be handled via the library kiosks (library card required), by downloading the Princh app from the Apple or Google App Store (You will need to load your payment card details into this in advance), or by cash. For cash payments, we will only accept exact amounts. We cannot issue change.

The Searchroom is available at Level 2A of Sutton Central Library (SM1 1EA). When you come into the library, the doors by the front library desk should be open - this is the correct side for the searchroom. If the doors are not open, just talk to a member of staff and they will let you up. Stairs and lift available. 

If you need any help to access the collection, please let us know.

• Level access into the building
• Chairs are available in the local studies area. 
• Ramp access and lift available into the library and search room.
• Wheelchair accessible toilet available.

Please send an email local.studies@sutton.gov.uk.
Please include details such as what the group is, what you want to look at, age group of students, and suggested dates and times that work for you.