skip to content

VMI Archives Policies

Certificate Detail Small How to Make an Inquiry & General Guidelines 

We welcome inquiries by email, phone, letter, fax, or in person, and we are committed to providing information as quickly as possible. Please keep in mind that we receive many inquiries every week and that we have a small staff. We respond to requests for photocopies or research in the order in which they are received by us.

Please make your requests as specific as possible. While we make every effort to provide relevant information to those who are unable to visit the Archives to do their own research, the staff cannot undertake extensive research on behalf of individuals. The more focused your request, the better.

Reproductions Policy - Documents and Photographs 

  • We prefer to send information electronically whenever possible.  Please provide an email address.  We limit the number of scanned images to 10. Contact us for information about scanning fees.
  • Paper photocopies are billed at a rate of 10 cents per page after 10 pages are reached. An invoice is enclosed when the copies are mailed.
  • Although we do not set arbitrary photocopy page limits, we request that you limit your copy requests to a reasonable number of pages/items (we generally interpret this to mean a maximum of 100 pages), and that you ask only for documents relevant to your research.
  • We reserve the right to decline to photocopy or scan fragile documents.

On-site Collection Use 

  • For your convenience, an appointment is strongly recommended if you are traveling from out of town. We can confirm our hours and have the material you requested ready upon your arrival.
  • Items may not be checked out or removed from the Archives reading room.
  • Archival material is fragile. Please handle our collections with care.
  • Use pencil, not pen, to take notes.
  • Laptops are welcome; wireless is available throughout Preston Library.  Digital photography is allowed.

Publication 

  • Permission to publish items from our collections must be requested in writing (email is fine). Our preferred repository citation is Virginia Military Institute Archives.