This talk outlines how the nature of different archives and their administration influences the discovery and use of them. Attention will be paid to basic rules of handling of archives, facilities in the Weston Library reading rooms and resources for improving palaeographical skills. The second half of the talk introduces some key finding aids and key archival collections in the Weston Library and in the UK. The talk will end with a look at web archives and the future of archival research.

This talk is intended for 2nd-year undergraduates preparing for their Thesis.