Prepare for Your Visit to the Archives of Ontario

Finding Archival material is somewhat different than finding materials in your library. Records that are located in our facility can be retrieved at the following times, however, only the most frequently requested records are located in our facility.


- 9:30 am                                         - 1:30 pm
- 10:30 am                                       - 2:30 pm
- 11:30 am                                       - 3:30 pm
- 12:30 pm

Most of the records managed by the Archives of Ontario are located in off-site storage. As a result, you must notify us which records you wish to see ahead of your planned visit to our facility, to ensure that the records you want are on-site when you visit.

Before your visit, we strongly recommend you consult this web site and check our research guides, finding aids and databases to determine if you can identify the records you are seeking, or determine if we have them. This web site has access to the same research tools we have in our facility. In the event you have a question about our records or customer services please contact our Reference Desk at reference@ontario.ca.

Please note: In order to register our guests at the Archives, we require 1 piece of Government issued ID to be presented (such as a Driver’s Licence, Passport, or a Government photo identification card). A Provincial Health card will not be accepted as a valid form of ID.

Please see the links below for other essential information you’ll need to know before you visit!

• Our Location - Where to find us and how to contact us.
  

• Hours of Operation - Reading Room and Helen McClung Exhibit Area.

• Online Registration - All visitors to the Archives require an Archives of Ontario Researcher (AOR) card. Sign up for one in advance and save time when you arrive.
  • Please note: In order to register our guests at the Archives, we require 1 piece of Government issued ID to be presented (such as a Driver’s Licence, Passport, or a Government photo identification card). A Provincial Health card will not be accepted as a valid form of ID.

• Ordering Materials in Advance - How to make sure your materials are here when you plan to be.

• Services and Fees (Word, PDF) - An outline of the services we provide. What’s free and what we charge you for.

• Rules of the Reading Room (Word, PDF) - What is and is not permissible in the Reading Room.

• Our Copyright Policy - How to make sure you are abiding by the copyright policies of the Archives of Ontario.

• Accessibility

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By Toronto Transit (TTC)

The Archives of Ontario is located at the York University Station stop on subway Line 1 Yonge-University.

For more information on how to visit us using the TTC, please consult their website:

• TTC Will open in a new window
  

By Other Transit Agencies

We are also accessible by Go Transit, YRT (York Region Transit), Viva and Brampton Transit-Züm.

For more information on how to visit us by these transit agencies, please consult their websites:

• GO Transit Will open in a new window
• YRT (York Region Transit)  Will open in a new window
• Viva Will open in a new window
• Brampton Transit-Züm Will open in a new window

By Car

From Highway 401

• Take Hwy. 401 to Keele Street
• Exit at Keele Street and go north
• Follow Keele Street north of Finch Avenue (the campus is on your left)
• Turn left at York Boulevard, north of Finch Avenue

From Highway 407

• Take Hwy. 407 to Keele Street
• Exit at Keele Street and go south
• Follow Keele Street south of Steeles Avenue (the campus is on your right)
• Turn onto the campus via York Boulevard, south of Steeles Avenue

From Highway 400 (southbound)

• Take Hwy. 400 south to Hwy. 7
• Exit onto Hwy. 7 and go east
• Follow Hwy. 7 east to Keele Street
• At Keele Street go south (the campus is on your right)
• Turn onto the campus at York Boulevard, south of Steeles Avenue

From Highway 400 (northbound)

• Take Hwy. 400 north to Steeles Avenue

Parking
Parking on campus is subject to York University Parking services and fees. For more information about the daily rates, consult the York University Parking Services website.

For parking updates, consult the York University Parking Services website.

Our Precise Location

For those using a GPS our coordinates are:

Latitude = 43.7749 - 43 degrees, 46.5 minutes North
Longitude = -79.5002 - 79 degrees, 30.0 minutes West

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Alexander Fraser Reading Room

Our hours of service are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Walk in visits are welcome, especially for self-serve microfilm use.

Helen McClung Gallery (main floor)

Our onsite exhibit is open Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm for self guided tours.

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Ordering records from the Archives of Ontario

Most records in our holdings are stored in an off-site facility, so we recommend that you order records in advance. Please note that:

• You do not need to order self-service microfilm and DVDs, and you cannot reserve them in advance.

• Records subject to an access restriction must be requested in writing and will take longer to retrieve; please e-mail mailto:reference@ontario.ca or speak to our staff for more information.

How to Order

You can request materials in advance:

• By e-mail (highly recommended), at reference@ontario.ca. We suggest that you send your request about a week in advance; please indicate the date of your visit in the subject line of the e-mail.

• By phone at 416-327-1600 or 1-800-668-9933 (toll-free in Ontario) or by fax at 416-327-1999

To find out what you would like to order, Search Our Collections. Please give us the following information for each container or item:

• Title.

• Reference code (RG xx-xx, F xxx, C xxx).

• Container number or barcode. That information appears in the “Location and Ordering Information” field.

• Accession or call number for art and library materials.

A few ordering tips:

• If the finding aid section mentions an inventory or file list that is not online, please contact us, as we may be able to send you inventories or lists in electronic or paper format.

• If there are multiple entries with the same container number or barcode, you need to order that container only once.

• You do not need to order self-service microfilm and DVDs, and you cannot reserve them in advance.

• Records subject to an access restriction must be requested in writing and will take longer to retrieve; please submit an inquiry at reference@ontario.ca or speak to our staff for more information.

• If you plan to be at the Archives for a number of days, you can order the first records you’ll be reviewing in advance, then order the rest once you have arrived.

If you submit your order by e-mail, we will notify you once the records have arrived. If you order by phone, please let us know if you would like to be notified, and how to notify you.

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Book a Reading Room workstation to view materials in our Reading Room. A workstation is a designated table for viewing original archival records and library materials. Access to a microfilm reader to view self-serve microfilm in our Rotunda is also included with this booking.

Before you book:

• A workstation can be booked a minimum of 3 days in advance.

• You must pre-order your materials by email or phone prior to booking a workstation. You will receive an order number from reference staff required for online booking.

• If you are accessing materials as the result of an Archives’ Freedom of Information (FOI) Request your FOI Reference number and/or Interim Box number are alternatively required.

• Reading Room workstations can be booked Monday to Friday for the following time slots (subject to availability):

• Half Day: 8:30am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 5:00pm

• Full Day: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Booking tips:

• On the booking page, use the drop-down menu under Select staff to choose your workstation
  number.

• If you require multiple days, you will need to complete bookings for each day and timeslot.

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Microfilm records at the Archives are self-serve and generally do not need to be ordered in advance.

Microfilm readers are located in a rotunda in the reading room. Use any unoccupied machine.

You can save images to your own USB key from the digital microfilm readers. Please note: The Archives of Ontario does not provide or sell USB keys.

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First, please consult our online resources to Start Your Research From Home.

If you still have questions, please Contact Us by email, phone or by mail.

For more in-depth assistance, ask about our one-on-one Virtual Reference Interviews, available on video (MS Teams) or over the phone. This includes help with navigating Our Collections, locating relevant research guides and tools and preparing for an onsite visit.

To book a Virtual Reference Interview, please email us at reference@ontario.ca with the following details:

• the reason for your appointment (research topic, assistance)

• preferred date and time (subject to availability, during operating hours)

• method of contact and contact information (MS Teams or telephone)

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All records at the Archives of Ontario are covered by the Canadian Copyright Act. Customers who reproduce records are required to comply with the act. To find out more about the Copyright Act, different types of copyright and access restrictions on archival materials and the conditions that apply when copying archival materials held by the Archives of Ontario, please see the Archives of Ontario Public Policy on Copyright and Terms of Use for Archival Materials.

Our Building

The Archives of Ontario’s public facility is equipped with accessibility features and tools to make your visit easier. Our public facility is located a short distance from accessible parking and the York University subway station. Our entrances are wheelchair accessible with ramps and automatic door openers. All public services are located on the ground floor, including our accessible washrooms. We also welcome service animals. 

Our Services

Our Reading Room includes wheelchair accessible tables, and magnifying glasses upon request. The computer terminals have accessibility tools, including Microsoft Narrator and Magnifier, and our microfilm/microfiche viewers are equipped with various features to improve the quality and magnification of the images.

Due to the historic nature of records in our collections many items in our collections may not be accessible for people with disabilities. If a person with a disability needs an accessible format, or help to communicate with us, we will work with the person to provide the format or support that will best meet their needs — at no additional cost. If we are not able to meet the person’s particular requirement in a reasonable timeframe, we will inform them and will work with them to determine an alternate method or will provide a summary of the information.