Visiting the Reference Room

We suggest you spend 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

Our Indexes include Topical and Biographical Vertical Files indexes and a Newspapers index.

This one-page checklist explains what you need to know before your visit.

Researchers may make a reservation by contacting mhslibrary@mt.gov. Walk-in research is subject to space availability.

Researchers are encouraged to submit a registration form in advance to request materials and make the most efficient use of their time. Please send completed registration forms to mhslibrary@mt.gov 

1. Upon arrival all researchers will sign in and store any belongings not required for note taking in a locker.
2. Researchers will complete a registration form if not submitted in advance.
3. Researchers will be assigned to a research table or station. Care of the collections restrict us to one researcher per table or station.
4. We have computers, photocopiers, microfilm readers and other equipment onsite. The research room has free wi-fi available for researchers.

1. Archival materials and special collections are often unique, irreplaceable, and fragile. Please handle items with care and adhere to special instructions given to you by staff. For a full list of instructions, please refer to our Research Center Rules.
2. You may use a digital camera in the Research Center; however, use is subject to our Research Center Rules.
3. You may save scans from the microfilm readers, computers, and photocopiers using a personal flash drive. You may print from the microfilm readers and computers for .25 per page. You may make photocopies for .25 per page with staff approval.

• Free Public WiFi
• Public PCs. We offer public access to PCs to help you conduct research using our catalog and finding aids. We also provide access to other online resources, including Ancestry.com and our Onsite Portal to Digitized Montana Newspapers on Newspapers.com.
  • You may save files to a USB drive for free. If you prefer to print, each page is 25 cents (35 cents for mail-order requests).
• Digital microfilm readers. You may save or print images from microfilm. Saving to a USB drive is free. If you prefer to print, each page is 25 cents  (35 cents for mail-order requests).

• Photocopiers. We allow photocopying of most materials, but we recommend bringing a digital camera for materials we deem too fragile for photocopying. Photocopy costs are:
  • Single-sided: 25 cents each (35 cents for mail-order requests)
  • Double-sided: 40 cents each (50 cents for mail-order requests)