Due to the rare and fragile nature of the Local History and Archives collections, access to collections housed in the Local History and Archives Department is limited to persons consulting archival material and carrying out their research in the Local History and Archives department. Within the department, staff are on hand to provide assistance and proper supervision to ensure the safe care and handling of materials. 

Members will be required to show identification and register for an archives card prior to viewing materials. 

Physical access to collections housed in the Local History and Archives Department is limited to members 14 years of age and older. Users under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless other arrangements have been made and authorized by the Manager, Local History and Archives.  

We utilize recognized international and national archival, digitization and metadata standards to support physical and digital access to Local History and Archives collections and materials. In alignment with Library Board policy, we support the use of Creative Commons Licenses and the principle of open access with regard to digitization initiatives while upholding the terms of existing donor agreements, copyright and applicable law and legislation. 

Barring the extent and terms of any restrictions, the legal rights and/or requests of the donor to place the records in the Archives, no person shall be prevented from using archival materials unless it is determined that the materials will be physically abused or used in a libelous or illegal manner.