Access to the search room is by prior appointment only.

Please ring +44 (0) 20 7272 8915 to make an appointment, or contact us via the website.

Please notify the GPI as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your appointment.

How to Find Us

The George Padmore Institute is located on the first floor above New Beacon Books at:

George Padmore Institute,
76 Stroud Green Road,
Finsbury Park,
London,
N4 3EN,
UK.

George Padmore Institute Latitude: 51.568294; Longitude: -0.109906

Phone: 020 7272 8915
Fax: 020 7281 4662

Nearest Underground/Mainline rail: Finsbury Park (about 5 minutes walk).

Visiting the Archives Search Room

When you visit staff will be on hand to show you how to start your research and where to find records.

You can explore our catalogues on a searchable database. Detailed printed catalogues for each archive collection can also be consulted in the search room.

You can bring your laptop into the search room, although we accept no liability. A limited number of power points are available. There is also a wireless broadband network available in the room to enable you to supplement your research.

Ordering Documents from the Archives

You can order up to three files or publications at any one time. Papers must be handled with care, kept in the order in which they are found and returned in a tidy condition. Staff will advise on correct handling.

When using the search room, we ask you to follow a few basic rules to ensure the preservation of documents for the future:

• Please bring as little as possible into the building and search room. We reserve the right to search bags and folders.
• Only pencils, not pens, are to be used in the search room. No correction fluids or adhesives should be brought into the room.
• Documents should be treated with care and kept in the order in which they are found. Please make sure that you are not leaning on documents when taking notes.
• Do not fold or mark the documents in any way. Please ensure that your hands are clean and do not moisten your fingers to turn pages. Cotton gloves will be provided by staff where appropriate.
• We do not allow photography or the use of handheld scanners in the search room. Reprographic services are available at the Institute.
• Mobile phones and pagers should be switched off when in the search room.
• Please do not eat (including gum) or drink in the search room — there are local cafes and restaurants available within a few minutes’ walk of the Institute.
• There is a no smoking policy throughout the building.

On each visit you will be required to sign the visitors’ book, confirming that you agree to abide by the above regulations governing the use of the archives.

Arrangements for Mobility-Impaired Researchers

Readers with mobility impairments are advised that the George Padmore Institute is not currently wheelchair accessible. However, please contact the Archivist to discuss your requirements. Arrangements can be made for remote access to documents, subject to copyright and conservation constraints, using reprographic and research services.

Services

The following services are available for visitors to the archive:

Reprographic Services

You will be required to complete a Reprographic Order and Copyright Declaration Form for any reprographic request.

Charges: all payments should be made in sterling by cash or cheque. All cheques should be made payable to the ‘George Padmore Institute’. If you are paying in person at the Institute we can also accept credit cards. Please do not email credit card details to us, as this is not a secure link.

For those on benefits, the unwaged and students there is currently a 10% discount.

Photocopies

Photocopies can be provided, subject to copyright and conservation constraints, for non-commercial research purposes only. Each item will be assessed as to its suitability for copying.

Black and white photocopies can be supplied up to A3 size.

A limited number of copies can usually be supplied on the day. However, large orders may need to be posted or collected. We reserve the right to refuse or limit photocopy orders if processing the order would have a significant impact on our ability to provide other services to our users.

Current charges are as follows:

• A4: 30p per sheet
• A3: 40p per sheet

Photocopies can be posted for an additional charge, currently: £1.50 handling charge plus postage at cost.

Where a researcher is unable to visit the George Padmore Institute, an invoice will be sent out.

Digital Images

Digital images can also be provided, subject to copyright and conservation constraints, for non-commercial research purposes only. Each item will be assessed as to its suitability for copying.

We cannot at present carry out scanning for documents larger than A4 in size.

Digital images will be posted to you or can be collected at an agreed time.

We reserve the right to refuse or limit orders for digital images if processing the order would have a significant impact on our ability to provide other services to our users.

Pre-payment is required for all digital reprographics. Where a researcher is unable to visit the George Padmore Institute, an invoice will be sent out. If we are unable to complete your order, we will provide a refund.

Current charges are as follows:

• Digital image (scanned) on CD: £3.50 per image, plus £1.00for every CD used.
• Postage and handling: £1.50 handling charge, plus postage at cost.

Research Service

Basic enquiries can usually be answered by letter, email or telephone — please contact us.

We are able to offer a limited research service for those unable to visit the Institute in person. There is a non-refundable hourly charge to cover staff time, regardless of whether the information is found or not. Please contact the Archivist for details.

Current charges:

• £20 per hour. Includes report, up to 4 photocopies, plus postage.

Permission to Publish

Researchers wishing to publish material from the Archives must first inform the Archivist in writing. The request will then be referred to the George Padmore Institute or to other copyright holders as appropriate. Where the George Padmore Institute holds copyright, a reproduction fee will usually be charged if material is to be published for commercial purposes.

If we are asked to act as an intermediary between copyright holder and researcher, a charge will be levied to cover staff time and any other costs incurred. Please contact the Archivist for further details.

The George Padmore Institute reserves the right to update this page as and when necessary.