Do I need an account to use the Archives and Information Management System (AIMS)?

You can search the collections and send an inquiry without an account; however, an account is needed to request materials in person or online. Reproduction of materials are subject to a charge based on the volume where applicable.

Can I use my Archives of Ontario Researcher (AOR) number to request materials through AIMS?

No. You will need to create a new account in AIMS. Setting up an account is a two-step process. The first step is to create a “Public Secure” account. Public Secure is a Government of Ontario login that is required to access all online Government of Ontario services. You will then be directed to an account registration page for AIMS. Click here for instructions to set up an account.

Where can I find information about Public Secure?

Click here to access the “Public Secure” Help web page.

Why should I create an AIMS account?

With an AIMS account, you can request materials, bookmark records, and save searches through a client profile.  Your profile also allows you access to your requests and inquiries and can track the status of your requests.  

Will my AIMS account be private?

Your account is administered through a Government of Ontario login, which adheres to all current privacy and security protocols.

How do I contact the Archives of Ontario through AIMS? 

You can contact us by submitting an inquiry through AIMS. On the AIMS launch page, select the “Ask about our records” button on the left menu. This will take you to a “Submit an Inquiry” page. Complete the inquiry page then select the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page.

What if I require assistance to create an AIMS account online?

Archives of Ontario staff can create an AIMS account for you. They are available to assist you by video consultation (MS Teams) or over the phone. More information can be found on the Services to the Public web page. You can also contact us through our general telephone number 416-327-1600 or 1-800-668-9933 (toll-free number for Ontario only).

You can still use AIMS to search the collections and correspond with us through the inquiry function without an account. To retrieve a record, you will need an account.

What happens to my old AOR number?

We will still need your AOR number to order materials for you and you will need it to access the Reading Room that is located at 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard.

How do I know when Archives of Ontario staff have responded to my inquiry?

If you make an inquiry through your AIMS account, you will receive an email notification when a response has been sent. You can then log in to AIMS to see the response. If you don’t have an AIMS account, you will receive a response directly to your email.

I sent an email to reference@ontario.ca before learning of AIMS and the inquiry function. Do I need to send this inquiry again through AIMS?  

There is no need to send the inquiry through AIMS. Our customer service staff will still receive your email and respond.

I noticed that the email address, reference@ontario.ca, is no longer provided on the Archives of Ontario website. Can I still use this email address to contact the Archives of Ontario?

With the launch of AIMS, the Archives of Ontario has transitioned from the reference@ontario.ca email to the inquiry function in AIMS. You can now contact us by submitting an inquiry through AIMS.

How do I order archival records?

If you have an AIMS account, you can request archival records in AIMS directly from a record detail page. If there are access restrictions on the record, select the “Ask about our records” button to send an inquiry.

If you don’t have an AIMS account, you can send an inquiry through AIMS.

I don’t have an email address. How do I create an AIMS account?

Our customer service staff can create an AIMS account for you. They are available to assist you by video consultation (MS Teams) or by phone. More information can be found on the Services to the Public web page. You can also contact us through our general telephone number 416-327-1600 or 1-800-668-9933 (toll-free number for Ontario only).

I noticed that the Visual Database is no longer available. How do I access digitized images from the Archives of Ontario?

You can conduct a search in AIMS in the “Archives Repository” and then select “Filter By”. Images in the results are accessed in the filter heading “Digital Media Present”.

Is the Ministry of Natural Resources Aerial Photography collection available through AIMS?

This collection is not currently available through AIMS. Information on accessing this collection is available on the Archives of Ontario website.

Can I access AIMS through my computer at home or do I have to visit the Archives of Ontario in person?

Yes, AIMS can be accessed at home. There is no need to visit the Archives of Ontario unless material is requested to be viewed in person.