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If you are interested in visiting the Archives in person or need assistance starting your research, click on the service(s) below for more information and to book online now!

Virtual Services

Have a research question or need help preparing for an upcoming research visit to the Archives?

• Book a virtual reference interview

Is your group interested in researching at the Archives?

• Book a consultation for virtual group orientation
  
  

In-Person Services

Interested in accessing original records or library materials from the Archives?

• Book a workstation to view materials in our Reading Room

Interested in viewing records on self-serve microfilm?

• Book a microfilm reader to view self-serve microfilm in our Rotunda

Booking Help

Need assistance booking or have a question about the process? We’re here to help!

Contact Us:

• Phone: 416-327-1600 or toll-free 1-800-668-9933 (Ontario only) 
• Email: reference@ontario.ca
  
  

Virtual services are offered by Reference staff, from a distance, using Microsoft (MS) Teams video or over the phone. You can choose your preferred method of contact on the booking page.

To participate in a virtual service over MS Teams, no login information is required. You will receive a link to the virtual meeting in your booking confirmation email. At the time of your booking, simply click on the link to access MS Teams in your internet browser and follow the instructions.

If you require assistance, see Booking Help.

Reference staff are available for one-on-one consultations on video (MS Teams) or over the phone, to assist researchers with preparing for researching at the Archives. This includes assisting with searching the Archives’ databases, locating relevant research guides and tools, ordering materials to view in our Reading Room and preparing for an onsite visit.

Duration of virtual reference interview: 30 minutes
When: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm (subject to availability) with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice
Method of Contact: Video (MS Teams) or phone; you can choose your preferred method of contact on the booking page

Reference Archivists offer 1-hour virtual orientation sessions on video (MS Teams) to assist groups with understanding the basics of archival research and how to locate and access records in the Archives’ collections. Sessions are particularly helpful for genealogical and educational groups, including post-secondary students. You can also add a 45-minute virtual tour presentation of our facility.  

If you are interested in this virtual service, you can book a consultation and a Reference Archivist will reach out to you to confirm the details of your request.

Duration of consultation: 30 minutes
When: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm (subject to availability) and should be booked at least one
month before your preferred orientation date
Method of contact: Video (MS Teams) or phone; you can choose your preferred method of contact on the booking page

In-person services allow you to book an in-person appointment in our Reading Room for viewing pre-ordered materials and/or accessing self-serve microfilm.

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 with a Reference Archivist prior to booking a workstation.
• Submit your order for retrieval by booking a Virtual Reference Interview.
• Click here to submit an inquiry with retrieval details
• The order number associated with your pre-ordered materials is required when completing the
  online booking form.
• 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.

Duration of booking:

• 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.

Book a ScanPro microfilm reader to access self-serve microfilm in our Rotunda. When using a microfilm reader, you can save contents from the microfilm or microfiche to your own USB key, at no charge. On some readers, you can also print to paper ($0.56 per page).

Before you book:

• A microfilm reader can be booked a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
• If you have already booked a workstation, you do not need to book a microfilm reader. One will be available to you during your workstation visit.

Duration of booking:

• 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
  • Note: The Reading Room is closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Booking tips:

• On the booking page, use the drop-down menu under Select staff to choose your microfilm reader number.
• If you require multiple days, you will need to complete bookings for each day and timeslot.