US National Archives and Records Administration ...ready access to essential evidence...
Research Room
Attention users of screen reader software. There are 4 possible starting points on this page, please select where you want to start using this page from the following choices: Start at the NARA Website Quick-links Skip the NARA Website Quick-links and start from the main navigation choices Skip the Quick-links and the Main Navigation choices and go to the Section-Specific Navigation choices Skip all navigation choices on this page and go directly to the content. The NARA Website quick-links below provide a way to immediately navigate to frequently accessed areas of NARA's Website. Where is Hot Topics / What's New Where is The Constitution Where is The Declaration of Independence Where is The Bill of Rights Where is Genealogy Where is Veterans' Service Records Where is Archival Research Catalog (ARC) Where is Access to Archival Databases (AAD) Where is eVetRecs Where is Electronic Records Archives (ERA) Where is Archives Library Info. Center (ALIC) Where is Calendar of Events Where is FAQs Where is FOIA Reading Room Where is Information Security Oversight Office Where is Interagency Working Group (IWG) Where is Locations and Hours (Facilities) Where is Media Desk Where is Organization Chart Where is Preservation Where is Prologue Magazine Where is Publications How do I Use this Site How do I Order Copies How do I Contact NARA How do I Visit NARA How do I Apply for a Job How do I Volunteer at NARA How do I Research Online How do I Find a Public Law How do I Apply for a Grant How do I Find Records Management Training Attention users of screen reader software. The NARA Website quick-links above are repeated verbatim in a HTML form below. The form below is designed for traditional web browsers. Select this link to skip past the form.
October 18, 2004
Welcome
About Us
Research Room
Records Management
Records Center Program
Federal Register
NHPRC and Other Grants
Exhibit Hall
Digital Classroom
Records of Congress
Presidential Libraries
Search
Site Index
The National Archives Experience
Our Documents - A National Initiative on American history, civics, and service
Support the National Archives
FirstGov: The United States Government Official Web Portal
Print-Friendly Version
Sections
skip section navigation menu 1skip to content
Main Section Research Room Main Page
Main Section New in Research Room
Main Section Getting Started
Current Page First Steps
Sub Section Planning Your Research Visit
Sub Section Locations & Hours
Sub Section Identification Card for On-site Visits
Sub Section Customer Service
Sub Section Regulations
Sub Section Questions?
Main Section Genealogy
Main Section Veterans' Service Records
Main Section Archival Research Catalog (ARC)
Main Section Research Topics
Main Section Research Paths and Media Types
Resources
skip to content
Main Section Guide to Federal Records
Main Section Access to Archival Databases (AAD)
Main Section Microfilm Locator
Main Section Archives Library Information Center (ALIC)
Main Section Hire a Researcher
Main Section Citing Records in the National Archives
Main Section Locations and Hours
Main Section To Obtain Copies
Main Section Teaching with Documents
Main Section FOIA Reading Room
Main Section National History Day
Main Section Search in Research Room

Getting Started – First Steps

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the repository for the permanently valuable records of the United States Federal Government, as well as Presidential papers and historical materials. Here's how you can get started in researching NARA's holdings:

Step 1: Decide whether you should use a library or an archives

The first step in beginning your research, whether you conduct it online or at one of our facilities, is to know that using an archives is very different from using a library. Here are the differences you can expect. A library contains published books and periodicals that usually can be checked out and replaced if lost or stolen. When using a library, you would:
  • Use a card- or online-catalog that lists every item in the library's collections.

  • Identify each item that you would like to use by its call number, which is a code used to categorize and organize items in libraries by subject.

  • Walk directly to a shelf in the library and retrieve an item (self-service).
An archives provides access to original records that were created and/or accumulated by a person, family, organization, or government institution in the course of its "life" or daily business. Because these records usually can not be replaced, security and preservation of the records play an important role in making them available to the public. When using an archives, you would:
  • Refer to an online catalog or paper-based guides, or a combination of both, to begin your research; you would need to identify the name of the organization that created the records, and identify the unit of records that probably contains the information that you seek.

  • Request records and await their retrieval from secure areas called "stacks."

  • Examine records grouped together, not handed to you as separate pieces of paper, for example. When you request records from the stacks, they will come to you in boxes and folders that are ordered in a sequence that preserves the filing system implemented by the organization that created and used the records. In an archives, it is just as important to preserve and maintain the filing system of the records as it is to preserve and maintain the records themselves. If records are removed from their filing arrangement, it may be impossible to return the document to its proper place.
    More about how records are "grouped".

  • Spend time at an archival facility exploring records series and reading document to locate the specific information that you seek. While some documents will be available through an archives's web site, not all records are available online. The cost to prepare, produce, and maintain electronic versions of billions of paper documents is exceptionally high.
Note: Presidential Libraries are part of NARA, but they are not libraries in the traditional sense. They are repositories for Presidential historical materials. Also, NARA has a resource library, called the Archival Library Information Center (ALIC) that supports NARA staff and visitors. ALIC is a reference library; it does not provide archival records to the public.

Go To Step:   1 | 2 |  3 |  4 
Privacy and Use Accessibility Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us NARA Home Page NARA Address: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408, Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272