Plan A Research Visit
Open to all, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives supports a vibrant community interested in the meaning and role of history.
Overview
Before visiting our reading room, please make sure you have registered for access via Aeon, have selected your materials for research, and have received a reservation confirmation for your visit. Researchers must select materials and reserve a seat in the reading room at least 7 calendar days in advance. Visitors seeking access to select digital collections at our L&A in DC office for must also contact us at least 7 calendar days in advance to reserve a seat.
If you are a new researcher, there are 4 key steps to complete prior to visiting the reading room. Please review the information below and our frequently asked questions. If you still have questions, contact us to ensure you have a successful research experience.
Step 1: Register For Access
All researchers must register and create an account with Aeon, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives’ online request and reservation system. Aeon allows users to request materials, make a reservation, place digitization/duplication orders, track history of requests, and make changes.
For more information about Aeon, please read our Aeon User Guide and watch our brief Aeon Registration tutorial.
Step 2: Research & Request Materials
While there are many different ways to search for materials held at the Hoover Institution, most of our library materials can be found in SearchWorks (Stanford University Libraries’ online catalog). Our archival materials can be accessed from the Online Archive of California (OAC). While researching for materials to view in the reading room, you must be concurrently logged into Aeon in order to place requests. Because there are limits to the number of materials that can be circulated during your visit, please select materials from SearchWorks and/or the OAC in priority order. After each request is created, make sure you link it to a reservation time before you submit your request.
Step 3: Reserve a Seat
In order to reserve a seat in the reading room, after each request of selected material is made, make sure you link it to a reservation time before you submit your request. Reservation times can be made for a minimum of 4 consecutive hours up to a total of 8 hours per visit. Please note: reservations are only confirmed when you have received an email from a Hoover Institution Library & Archives staff.
Researchers must submit requests for materials and reserve a seat at least 7 calendar days in advance of their confirmed reservation date.
Step 4: Prepare For Your Visit
After you have submitted your request for materials and seat reservation in Aeon, you should receive an email sent by a Hoover Institution Library & Archives staff member. If you do not receive an email, please contact us. This email will summarize the confirmation date and time, the details of your requests as well as outline additional documentation that will help you prepare for your visit.
If this is your first visit, you will be asked to email a photograph of yourself, in advance, which will be used to create your Library & Archives reader card. Upon arrival at the reading room, you will be required to show photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, school ID, or other form of government-issued photographic identification, in order to complete the registration process.
Additional Resources
To learn more about what to expect and how else we may be able to help you prepare for your visit, please review these additional resources and information about the reading room and our collections.
Contact Us
Address
434 Galvez Mall, Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-6003
Go to our Visit Us page for more details.
Phone
1 (650) 723-3563
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
