But if you are visiting a more congested area, find out where you can park, before you hit town on the day you plan to research. Most parking lots near state libraries can be off-limits to everybody but state employees. You don t want to spend all or research time looking for a spot, and then walking a half mile to the library. You also don t want to spend the evening looking for the towing lot or figuring out where to mail your fine for the parking ticket. If you use ballpoint pens or flair tips, I suggest carrying three.
Pens can dry out, clog, leak, or get lost.
I suggest bringing your own and consider a refillable mechanical pencil. Make sure you have one with lots of fresh pages. Put the of place visited, perhaps the general subject of research, and the year and month you visited on the front cover. It s too easy to tear the pages off legal pads. Large spiral notebooks can be difficult to use if the counter is cramped with several people using deed books.