Reference Guide:
Reading Room Orientation

General information

An archivist is available to help with reference inquiries and to guide you to the best resources on your topic from 10am to 5pm. Items may be requested from the stacks between 10am and 4:30pm. All stack items must be returned to the front desk by 4:45pm.

Finding aids, card catalogues, and microfiche/film cabinets have been colour coded in the Archives and clearly labeled to help you find things more easily.

Please leave a marker when removing microfiche sheets and film boxes. When you have finished viewing a microfiche or film, please place in one of the boxes on top of the cabinet - do not refile! Copies can be made from the reader/printer fiche/film machines and cost 55c per page. Please bring all copies to the front desk for payment and stamping by 4:45pm.

When using materials from the stacks, please keep original order and do not remove anything from the file. If you would like photocopies, please bring the whole file to the front desk and indicate the pages you would like copied by turning the page sideways. Large and fragile items cannot be copied for conservation reasons. Material in the Reading Room, other than the City Directories, may be copied using the self-serve photocopier in the lobby. A keycounter can be obtained from the front desk. Copies are 30c per page. Please bring all copies to the front desk for stamping and payment by 4:45pm.

Please refer to the map below to locate resources in the Reading Room. Descriptions of the different resources follow.

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KEY Front desk Reference archivist's desk General reference shelf City directories Additional manuscript finding aids (red) Card catalogue (maps, library, ships' plans, art, arch. plans) Public records finding aids (blue) Microfilm/fiche cabinet Card catalogue (newsclippings/pamphlets) Microfilm/fiche readers Microfilm/fiche cabinet CVA Photo binders (red) Major Matthews' photo binders (black) Photograph index Database access Display case Reference guides/sale items

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Additional Manuscripts (red)

Private records donated by individuals, families, businesses, or organizations having relevance to the history of Vancouver can be searched by keyword search on our database or by looking up the name in the card catalogue (#6 on map). The finding aids (series and file lists) are available in the red binders (#5 on map). Records can be obtained from the stacks by completing a 'Document request' form and giving it to an archivist.

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Architectural Drawings

The card index to architectural plans (#6 on map) held by the City Archives can be searched by address or architect's name. Plans are available for viewing at the Data Resource Centre at City Hall with written permission of the building's owner.

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City Directories

Directories are available in hardcover (#4 on map) and on microfilm (#8 on map). They can be searched by name of individual or business, and by address.

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Documentary Art (purple)

The card catalogue (#6 on map) can be searched by artist or title, and file lists are available in the Documentary art binder on top of the card catalogue cabinet. The cartoon collection can be accessed on microfiche at M-112 in the small Fiche/Film cabinet (#8 on map).

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Library (brown)

Books can be searched by title, author, or subject in the card catalogue ( #6 on map). Copies of frequently used reference books are available for use on the general reference shelf. Other books must be requested from the stacks by completing a 'Document request' form and giving it to an archivist for retrieval.

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Maps (green)

Maps can be accessed through the card catalogue (#6 on map), and are indexed by place, date, or subject. The maps are available on microfiche in the Fiche/Film cabinet (#11 on map - drawers have green labels). Fire insurance maps can be searched using the finding aids in green binders located on top of the card catalogue cabinet, and by looking in the card catalogue under Insurance-fire. A reference guide to fire insurance maps is located across from the front desk.

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Newspaper Clippings (yellow)

The archives has extensive newsclippings taken from local and provincial newspapers. The clippings are indexed by name or subject in the card catalogue (#9 on map). Newsclippings from Pacific Press can be searched using the binder above the card catalogue. The newsclippings are available on microfiche in the cabinet directly across from the card catalogue cabinet (#11 on map). Limited holdings of complete issues of some papers are also available and are listed in the white binder "Microfilm holdings" above the card catalogue.

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Pamphlets (orange)

Pamphlets include brochures, yearbooks, programs, menus, tourist guides and other ephemera. Pamphlets can be searched by title, subject or date using the card catalogue (#9 on map) and are available on microfiche in the cabinet directly across from the card catalogue (#11 on map). Descriptions of pamphlets dating from the 1880's to 1925 can be searched on our database.

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Photographs (black and red binders)

Photographs can be searched using the card catalogues (#14 on map) across from the front desk. Please consult the instructions above the card catalogue drawers. A selection of images have been scanned into our database and can be accessed on our database. Copies of photographs for viewing are in the black and red binders (#12 and #13 on map). Photographic reproductions can be ordered in person or online, please ask an archivist for more details.

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Public Records (blue)

Records of the municipal government of Vancouver can be accessed by keyword search on our database, or by using the finding aids arranged by department located in the blue binders (#7 on map). Records can be requested from the stacks by filling out a 'Document request' form and giving it to an archivist. Records on microfiche and film can be found in the cabinet (#11 on map) by the Fiche/Film readers (drawers have blue labels).

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Ships' Plans (light blue)

The card catalogue (#6 on map) may be searched by ship name, company, or architect. The plans are located on microfiche at M-106 in the Fiche/Film cabinet (#8 on map).

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