Retrievals
Requests for retrieval of books, manuscripts, government records, sound recordings and moving images are accepted from 10:00am to 3:30pm. Retrieval of onsite material takes an average of 5-15 minutes, but special media (e.g. photographs and maps) can take 24 to 48 hours.
Note: Retrieval of material between noon and 1:00pm may not always be possible. To assist researchers who can visit the Archives only at that time, staff will accept telephone requests (250-387-1952) until 11:30am on the day of the intended visit for up to 4 items to be retrieved and put on hold.
A call slip must be submitted for each item required. Four items may be requested by a researcher at one time. Names and registration numbers, as well as call numbers, must be printed clearly to facilitate retrieval and pickup. Materials should be picked up promptly, particularly if access has been granted under special permission (e.g. a research agreement).
A large number of our records are stored offsite. Offsite material can take 2 to 5 days to be delivered. Check with Archives staff to determine which records are stored offsite, so you can make the most efficient use of your research time.
Some records may be unavailable because of access restrictions. See staff for instructions on how to determine the existence of restrictions and on how to request access to restricted records. If given permission to access restricted records, you must bring the letter of permission or Research Agreement with you every time you visit.
Unless other arrangements have been made (see Locker Service), materials must be returned to the Retrievals Desk by 4:00pm. If material is still needed, it can be put on hold. While more than four items can be placed on hold, only four can be used at a time. Items held in excess of two weeks may be returned if they have not been used in that time period, as storage space is limited.