Research & Community Access

All research inquiries and appointments must be made online by filling out and submitting the Public Research Agreement and Waiver below. For questions, email Collections at research@losaltoshistory.org. A staff member or Collections Committee member will contact the researcher within two weeks of receiving the inquiry and appointment request.

We encourage researchers to make their inquiry as specific as possible, including deadlines and record information, in order to best assist the researcher’s needs. Appointments to view and examine material first-hand are generally made available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, although arrangements may be made for alternative times.

Accepted museum practices in the care and handling of artifacts will be enforced. Not all items in the Los Altos History Museum Collection are available for research; reasons include safety and security of artifacts, exhibiting requirements, and loans to other institutions. Researchers must follow the directions of staff and research volunteers at all times. The Museum reserves the right to reject a request for research or to ask a researcher to cease work and leave the Museum at any time. Theft or mutilation of items are crimes that will be prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement agency. Photocopying and scanning are done at the discretion of the Collections or Museum staff in order to protect copyright, avoid possible legal issues, and for security and preservation of items in the Collection.

All belongings such as coats, backpacks, computer cases, file boxes, packages or bags must be left at a space specified by Museum staff or volunteer. Cameras and scanning equipment are only allowed with the permission of a Collections staff member. Researchers may have paper, notecards, a personal laptop computer, tape recorder and pencils when looking at materials. Please note, pens and open-lid drinks are NOT allowed due to potential and accidental damage to the Collection material.

All belongings such as coats, backpacks, computer cases, file boxes, packages or bags must be left at a space specified by Museum staff or volunteer. Cameras and scanning equipment are only allowed with the permission of the Collections staff member. Researchers may have paper, notecards, a personal laptop computer, tape recorder and pencils when looking at materials. Please note, pens and open-lid drinks are NOT allowed due to potential and accidental damage to the Collection material.

• Researchers are allowed up to three (3) files or items at a time, at the discretion of staff or collections volunteers, and will be requested to keep hands clean and wear white gloves (provided by the Museum) when handling original materials and artwork.
• Researchers must ask and/or be escorted by staff before entering and exiting the vault
• Note-taking must be done with #2 (or similar) non-colored pencils. No pens of any kind are permitted. Do not lean items or place paper or notepads on top of the documents while taking notes. Please respect and be sensitive to the historic material that requires careful handling.
• Do not attempt to make corrections, erasures, or any other marks on research material.
• Do not attempt to make any repairs to collections material and artifacts.
• Upon completion of viewing the object/file/material at hand, please notify staff. Museum staff or collections volunteers will re-file all materials.
• Unless granted approval, museum staff or collections volunteers will make photocopies on your behalf.

To book a research appointment, please submit the agreement and waiver below.