Visiting the Reference Room

Identify materials in advance

We suggest you spend time searching our collections to find research materials prior to visiting us or making an appointment. Identifying materials in advance will save you time and make for a smooth visit.

Search our catalog

Explore our finding aids

View our indexes

Determine your space needs

We have Research Tables for accessing Library & Archives collections, Microfilm Stations for viewing newspapers and other microfilmed materials, and Public Computers for performing web-based research and accessing subscription databases, including our digitized newspapers Onsite Portal). 

Only our Research Tables are available by appointment. Our public computers and microfilm stations are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Registration:

Patrons must store personal belongings outside the Reference Room. Free lockers are available, and staff will provide patrons with locks and keys.

Patrons must present a valid photo ID and complete a Patron Registration Form on their first visit to the Reference Room each calendar year. They will receive a Research Card and must present it for each subsequent visit.

Prior to leaving, patrons must present all notes, photocopies, and materials to staff for inspection.

Prohibited in the Reference Room:

Food and beverages (including water); pens and markers; bags of any kind, including purses and laptop cases; coats and outerwear; notebooks, folders, three-ring binders, outside books and paper, and any enclosures; video calls or cell phone calls (please use the area outside the Reference Room or the Commons and not a museum gallery).

Allowed in the Reference Room:

Pencils; laptops; headphones; mobile devices; cameras; USB drives; loose paper provided by staff.

Read our full Rules & Policies

We encourage researchers to make an appointment to reserve a Research Table in our Reference Room, as space is limited. We have six (6) Research Tables reservable by appointment.

You may make an appointment for 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm.

Only our Research Tables are available by appointment. Our public computers, microfilm stations, and book scanner station are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Appointments are not confirmed until approved by Library & Archives staff. You will receive a confirmation email once your booking has been approved.

Book an appointment

You can also schedule an appointment by calling us at (406) 444-2681 or e-mailing us at mthslibrary@mt.gov.

The Library & Archives Reference Room is located on the first floor at the southwest end of the Montana Heritage Center (MHC), 225 N Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59620. Refer to the wayfinding signs to find your way. If you enter the MHC via the North Lobby, you will need to use the elevator or grand staircase to get to the first floor.

First time researchers must complete a Patron Registration Form. A valid photo ID is required for registration.

Patrons must store personal belongings outside the Reference Room. Free lockers are available, and staff will provide patrons with locks and keys.

Researchers will be assigned to a Research Table or other station. Care of the collections restrict us to one researcher per table or station.

The Reference Room is equipped with photocopiers and a book scanner. 

Researchers may use our photocopiers or our book scanner to copy and scan most materials. Patrons may take pictures of materials using digital cameras or mobile devices without a flash. 

Photocopy costs are 25 cents per page (35 cents/page for mail-order requests). Patrons may save scans to a USB or e-mail scans to themselves at no charge.