Church History Library Research Tips - How to Register to Use the Reading Room
Everything you need to do and know before using the Church History Library’s reading room for viewing and researching Church collections.
The Church History Library holds and shares hundreds of thousands of collections related to the Church and its members. Many of these collections are available to view and research through the library’s reading room.
What Is the Reading Room?
The reading room is a dedicated research space at the Church History Library for patrons to view and handle various records and collections. The hours of the reading room are as follows:
Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
The reading room and library are closed for most major holidays, all of which you can find on the Plan Your Visit to the Church History Library page. For additional closures or delayed openings, refer to the library’s website for any updates.
The reading room houses large desks to ensure patrons have the space they need to research even the largest collection items. Multiple microfilm/microfiche scanners are also available for use, along with a variety of tools to assist you in your research.
At the head of the reading room, patrons will find the counter where library staff stand ready to help. From receiving and returning collections to the library’s storage vaults to assisting with research questions and other requests, employees and missionaries help to ensure your time spent at the library is as effective as possible.
Registering to Use the Reading Room
Like many libraries and archives around the world with unique collections, patrons must register to view items in the Church History Library reading room. Registration is quick and easy to complete and can be done online before you visit the library. Follow the steps below to register:
Click on the Begin Registration link.
Sign up for or log in to your Church account. Online Church accounts are free and don’t require Church membership to create. Reading room registration and online catalog access are tied to your Church account.
Watch the six-minute video about the Church History Library and how to handle materials in the reading room.
Fill out the registration form. This form asks for specific information, including: first and last name, email address, phone number, and address.
Affirm that you watched the registration video and are willing to abide by the rules and policies of the library and copyright laws.
After you complete the form, you will receive an email from the library confirming your registration, along with an Ask Us link to connect with one of the library’s research consultants. Through this link, a research consultant can help you schedule your in-person reading room appointment and then work with you on creating a list of collection items you wish to view.
Please keep in mind that it may take one to two business days for a research consultant to answer your Ask Us request. Also, not every collection item is open for research. One of our research consultants will help you identify the collections available to view in the reading room. They can also recommend other collections that may help you with your research.
Use of the Reading Room
Scheduling a reading room appointment is not required but is highly recommended. Doing so ensures that the library is prepared with the approved collection items you have requested. You are always welcome to request more items—simply speak with the reading room attendant at the desk, and he or she can help you.
As a dedicated space for learning about and researching Church history, we ask that all patrons uphold the reading room’s policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines will help make every patron’s experience in the reading room worthwhile and effective.
When you come for your appointment, you are allowed a silenced cell phone, laptop, tablet, flash drive, cameras, and audio recording devices for notetaking purposes. Personal belongings, including backpacks, briefcases, handbags, binders, notebooks, papers, and laptop cases must be stored in the lockers outside the reading room. Food and drink are also not permitted in the reading room.
The reading room is a tremendous resource for learning about the Savior and His work on the earth. If you are interested in learning more about Church history, we invite you to schedule a reading room appointment today. And if you have any questions, please use our Ask Us service. Our staff are ready and willing to help.