Hertford College Archives
Accessing the collections
Our College Archives are open to all researchers, whether academics, students or private individuals. Most of our records are available for consultation, however, we reserve the right to restrict access if the condition or nature of the records requires it. The core collection was catalogued in 1985 – a typescript version of this catalogue is available in the Library Office. You can browse our collections and read research guides in our Online Catalogue.
Enquiries may be made by letter, telephone or email. Please note that the Archivist works two days a week and that it may take up to two weeks to answer enquiries. The Archivist is happy to answer enquiries free of charge; however, we cannot undertake detailed or time-consuming research for individual enquirers. If this is likely to be the case please talk to the Archivist about visiting the Archives in person or making arrangements for the research to be carried out by a third person.
Visiting the Archives
We welcome researchers who wish to consult the Archives in person. Researchers should make an appointment in advance by contacting the Archivist, so that we can book a reading room and retrieve records ahead of a visit. Please bring one form of photo ID such as a University Card, Passport or Driving License. We’ll ask you to complete a visitor form on arrival.
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Opening hours
The Archives are open to the public by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9.30am – 5.00pm throughout the year. Please contact Dr Lucy Rutherford, Archivist at Hertford College, Catte St, Oxford, OX1 3BW. You can call 01865 279409 (voicemail available out of hours) or email: archives@hertford.ox.ac.uk.
Following the lifting of the latest Covid-19 restrictions, the archives are now open to visitors in person, although we will answer enquiries remotely & supply images wherever possible. Please contact us well ahead of your proposed visit so that we can discuss your requirements and book a consultation room.
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Transport and parking
Please note that parking in central Oxford is very limited and that there is no parking available at the college. Visitors are strongly advised to use public transport or the Park & Ride scheme to travel to Oxford. Hertford is a short taxi drive or 15-20 minute walk from the train and bus station. View a map on our Visit Us page.
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Accessibility
For visitors with any additional needs, please contact the Archivist in advance so that we can help plan your visit. In particular if you have mobility problems or difficulty in using stairs please let us know in advance so that we can book an accessible reading room. Ramps and an accessible WC (up a short stair lift) are available in college.
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Handling archival material
All archival material should be handled carefully and in accordance with our Document Handling Guidelines. In particular researchers should not eat or drink near archival material. Visitors will be reminded of the handling guidelines and any necessary equipment such as pencils, book rests and weights will be made available. Please come prepared to use pencils or a laptop rather than pens or biros to make notes. If an item is too fragile to be handled we will consider making a surrogate version such as a photograph or scan available.
Please click here to download a print version of our Information for Visitors.
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Photography
Digital cameras may be used to make personal research copies, with the prior permission of the Archivist and on completion of a self-photography form.