## IMF ARCHIVES - READING ROOM PROTOCOL

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [IMF ARCHIVES - READING ROOM PROTOCOL](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/about/imf-archives/archives-reading-room-protocol.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/about/imf-archives/archives-reading-room-protocol.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/about/imf-archives/archives-reading-room-protocol.pdf.json)

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### Access and arrival procedures
- The IMF Archives Reading Room is open Monday to Friday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Upon arrival, an IMF archivist is required to make a copy of your photo ID (e.g. passport, driver’s license) for security purposes.
- Researchers are required to sign the Visitors Book upon arrival at the Archives Reading Room and at the beginning of each day of their visit.
- Researchers will be presented with two folders at a time.
- Paper records and photographs can only be viewed in the reading room with the supervision of an archivist.
- All digital copies can be found on the catalog maintained by the IMF Archives.

### Prohibited items in the reading room
- Bags, briefcases, laptop bags, document case of any other container
- Books, papers, newspapers
- Food or beverages (including gum, lozenges, mints, etc.)
- Pens, highlighters, makers
- Lotions, eye drops, antibacterial handwash, or any other liquid
- Coats, jackets, or any other type of outerwear
- Hats, scarves and gloves
- Envelopes, notebooks, binders or folders

### Permitted items in the reading room
- Personal laptop computers, tablet/iPad and mobile phones (on ‘silent mode’)
- Personal digital camera (flash and shutter noise must be disabled)
- Headphones
- Plugs, leads and cables to connect your own devices to IMF power sockets

### Inappropriate handling of records (actions to avoid)
- Writing on, marking, defacing, cutting or damaging in any way, a record
- Folding or creasing a record
- Handling photographs or negatives without using the gloves provided
- Any unnecessary handling or touching of a record
- Allowing a record to hang over the edge of a table
- Licking or moistening fingers while handling a record
- Flicking or fanning through the pages of a record
- Use of an instrument to turn the pages of a record
- Leaning on, or placing objects, other than document weights provided by staff on the records
- Re-arranging the order of records
- Removing any tags, or other bindings from records (if text is obscured and the removal of a record is absolutely necessary, please ask an archivist for assistance)
- Failing to use foam wedges to support records (if it is practical to do so)
- Tracing of records
- Sharpening of pencils near any records
- Use of flash photography
- Holding the records up and reading like a book; records should always be flat on the table
- Removing records from the reading room

### Facilities, equipment, and staff support provided
- Lockers to store your belongings and valuables before entering the reading room
- Pencils
- Notepaper
- Cardboard ‘bookmarks’ to mark a place for later reference
- IMF Guest wifi
- Reference material
- Archivists available to supervise use of paper records and photographs and to provide professional advice to assist researchers

### Emergency procedures
- In the rare event of an emergency, when evacuation of the building or shelter-in-place is initiated, researchers are required to follow the instructions of the archivist on how to proceed.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/about/imf-archives/archives-reading-room-protocol.pdf_