News that made it’s way through the virtual grapevine today (ie. the internet), is that the State Records of South Australia are now closing their Research Centre which is currently housed in the State Library of SA on North Terrace in the city, and relocating back to their archives centre at Gepps Cross.
This seemingly surprise move comes just 18 months after they closed that facility to the public. You can read about that here.
So for anyone who uses (or is planning to use) the State Records of SA facilities in the near future, be sure to read this …
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State Records’ Research Centre is relocating from the State Library on North Terrace to our main repository at Gepps Cross.
The move will take place during an extended end of year closure from 25 December 2015. State Records’ Research Centre will reopen at 115 Cavan Road Gepps Cross on Tuesday 19 January 2016.
Consolidating our accommodation will allow us to continue to deliver our services to the public and government agencies with the same level of professional reference assistance, but with improved access to the State’s government archives and the benefit of onsite parking.
Further information about opening hours will be advised in the New Year.
Should you have any queries regarding the above please contact Simon via simon.froude@sa.gov.au.
Ordering records for viewing
State Records stores its records in repositories located at Gepps Cross and Collinswood. Most records can be ordered for viewing and turnaround times are as follows:
– Records ordered before 12pm will be available for viewing at 2pm the same day
– Records ordered between 12pm and 3.30pm will be available for viewing at 10am the next day
– Records ordered after 3.30pm will be available for viewing at 2pm the following day
User registration
– Researchers ordering records for the first time will be asked to register with State Records, and will receive a user ID number and card.
– Researchers who have registered online using the catalogue ArchivesSearch, will need to ask for a user ID card when they visit the Research Centre.
Services available at the Research Centre
– Access to ArchivesSearch along with other guides, finding aids and indexes are available in the Research Centre. State Records staff in the Research Centre can help you by:
– assisting you to search for and order records
– offering search strategies
– explaining how to use ArchivesSearch and other guides, finding aids and indexes
– advising on access restrictions
– referring you to appropriate agencies or organisations
– facilitating access to personal information for rights and entitlement purposes
– providing guidance and advice about records that may be relevant to enquiries
– confirming the accuracy of archival references
Services not provided by State Records
Please note that State Records is unable to offer:
– complex, in-depth or lengthy research
– requests to view, or obtain copies of, original Births Death and Marriage records . Researchers should contact the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Office
– research for student assignments.
Researchers unable to attend our Research Centre, or who wish to perform complex research, will need to engage the services of a professional researcher to act on their behalf.
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While the move back to Gepps Cross will certainly disadvantage many, due largely to the respositories location, as it’s nowhere near the city. For others who are able to visit, they will certainly appreciate being able to view records the same day they visit, rather than having to order ahead – something you couldn’t do when the Research Centre was in the city.
