Archival work starts long before you open your first box of documents and dig in. Once you have determined that a particular archive holds collections that are likely to be useful, you should phone the archive to arrange a visit. This guide includes contact information for each archive, as well as hours the archive is open. Not only is a telephone call a good way to confirm when the archive is open, and what regulations govern access to materials, it is an opportunity to explain the work you are undertaking to people at the archive who can help.
Archivists are fellow historians and important allies, as any practicing historian can confirm.
Along with cataloging and maintaining collections, the archivist's job is to help researchers and students navigate the archive so the material they collect and preserve can be used. You will find archivists familiar with the processes of historical research and writing and ready to assist you in finding appropriate material for your subject. As well as confirming whether the sources you are planning to work with are appropriate, an archivist can help with suggestions for other sources and also for ways to look at the topic based on what they know is available in their collections. When you call to arrange your visit, therefore, you may want to ask whether it makes sense to time your visit so you can meet with a particular archivist who is especially familiar with materials that will be useful to you and the issues that interest you. Archivists are there to help researchers.