faq's visit

Before you visit us, you may already have some questions about how things work. Here we have put together some frequently asked questions and our answers to them. Have a look through the information and hopefully you will find the answer to your question. If not, please send us your question or comment using this form (in Dutch).

do I need to make an appointmant to visit the RHCL?

No. You are more than welcome to visit the study hall at any time during our opening hours. When it is crowded in our study hall, it is not always possible to speak at length with one of our colleagues. When you want to get started with an elaborate archive research or have many questions you would like to ask, you may want to make an appointment beforehand. This way we can ensure proper guidance.

do I have to pay an entrance fee?

No. Making use of the study hall of an archive center for your research is always free of charge. This was established in the 1995 Archives Act. You may consult original archives free of charge. At the RHC Limburg, we have frequently consulted archives, such as statements of citizenship, church registers and building licences, available in photocopy form, micro-fiches, micro film or index cards in the self service section. For making reproductions like photocopies or prints of micro-film or index cards there is a fee. Have a look at the overview (Dutch).

can I look into all archives?

Yes and no. In principle, all (government) archives are accessible, as stated in the 1995 Archives Act. This however does not apply to some privately-owned archives. In the placement of their archives, certain limits to public access can be established. Usually this is to protect the privacy of a person that is still living. Protection of privacy is also important for some government archives, belonging to courts or notaries for example. Such archives are usually protected for a certain period of time, after which they can be consulted by the public. When you are interested to consult an archive that has limited access, we suggest you seek advice from our colleagues. It is also possible that the archive cannot be consulted in the study hall due to poor material condition. You can find more information at the Information desk in the study hall.

do I have to pay for requesting archives or assistance?

Help and advice from our colleagues in the study hall is also free of charge. Our service in the study hall is to support you as much as possible with your research. If you would like us to carry out any archive research for you, this is possible for a fee.

can I borrow archives?

No. An archive center does not work in this sence like a public library. Archives are unique and often fragile. It is possible to consult archives in the study hall and to make reproductions of these to take home. In most cases, you may even take pictures using your digital camera. In the event that you live far away and wish to carry out extensive research, we can lend our archives to an archive center that is closer to where you live. That archive center can place a request with us in your name for archives in our collections. Under certain conditions, archives may be borrowed for exhibits.

can I take photos of archives?

Yes, with your own (digital) camera you are allowed to take photos of archives. However, in order to protect the archives, there are some limitations. The use of flash, for example, is prohibited. It is best to always check first with one of our colleagues in the study hall. There may be copyrights concerned or a user fee for reproductions.

what newspapers from Limburg do you have?

Unfortunately we do not collect any newspapers. There are no microfiches of newspapers in our study hall either. For newspapers you can go to the Centre Céramique public library. Using the general catalogue system, you can see which newspapers from Limburg are available there.

Website Centre Céramique.

is it possible to borrow books or journals?

No. We do not have an open reference section in the study hall. Here we have dictionaries, encyclopedias, reference works, hand guides, journals and more resources that may be useful in your research. In addition we have a large collection of books in out depot. Although we do not lend any of our books or journals, many of these resources can be found and borrowed at the library at Centre Céramique.