Planning Your Visit to the New York State Archives Research Room: What to Bring and What to Expect

You'll find the Research Room on the 11th floor of the Cultural Education Center in Albany. The building connects to the Empire State Plaza via a bridge over Madison Avenue - helpful for getting your bearings when you arrive. The address is 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230.

The Research Room is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s closed on New York State holidays, so it’s worth checking the calendar before you make travel plans.

1. Request an appointment - Visits are by appointment only. Email archref@nysed.gov or call (518) 474-8955 to set up your visit and reserve a table.
2. Plan what you want to see - Before you go, identify the records you’d like to use so staff can help confirm what’s available and get you set up for the day.
3. Wait for confirmation before you travel - Don’t head out until you receive an email or phone call confirming your appointment.
4. Build in lead time - Reaching out several business days ahead is a smart baseline, and if you think any materials might need extra retrieval time, I’d give it about a week so you’re not making the trip twice.

ID Registration Form

• ✓ Sign in when you arrive
• ✓ Complete the registration form
• ✓ Show photo ID
• ✓ Place personal items in a locker
• ✓ Agree to abide by the Research Room rules

The registration form is simple. You'll fill out items 1 through 11, then sign a declaration confirming you've received the Archives/Library research room rules and agree to follow them. The form also asks what ID you're presenting. If it's a driver's license, there's a field for your license number and issuing state - so bring an ID you're comfortable sharing that information from.

When you arrive, you'll store personal items in a locker and work only with what's allowed at the research tables. You'll also sign off on the Research Room rules. Plan for a brief check-in before you can start reviewing materials.

You can take reference photos in the Research Room with a handheld digital camera using available light. Tripods and extra lights aren’t allowed, so keep your setup simple.

Working with microfilm? You can make self-service copies to paper or PDF at no charge. If you need something beyond what you can handle yourself, ask staff about other options.

Driving? Paid parking is available in the Madison Avenue Lot, immediately west of the Cultural Education Center. Access it from Madison Avenue. Once inside, head to the 11th floor - and remember the building connects to the Empire State Plaza by a bridge over Madison Avenue.