Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find the answers to questions we get asked the most about using our reading room, the research services we provide, and visiting the Library & Archives. If you have more questions, please contact us.
Top Questions
Reading Room
My family member is going to come with me and look at the material I’ve requested. Do they need to register with Aeon?
Yes. Anyone coming into the reading room needs to register with Aeon and have a confirmed reservation.
Does the reading room have WiFi and outlets?
Yes.Researchers can connect to the Stanford Visitor network. The reading room has outlets located at tables throughout the room.
How do I reserve a seat in the reading room?
To reserve a seat in the reading room, you must first be registered with an account with Aeon, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives’ online request and reservation system. For step-by-step directions, please watch this video, then review these instructions on how to request materials and reserve a seat.
Research Services
How should I cite archival material?
Our preferred citation for archival material is [Identification of item], Collection name, Box no., Folder no. or title, Hoover Institution Archives. Additional information can be found here
Do you have lists of materials related to particular topics?
Yes.Check the website for collections related to selected subjects or geographic areas.You can also email hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu to receive subject lists or be connected to a subject specialist.
Do you have any tips for searching for material?
Use one word searches if possible, and be sure to try alternate spellings of names. If you use more than one search word, enclose the words in quotation marks.Learn more about the different ways to search our collections by visiting our How to Search page.
Why isn’t all of your material available online?
A variety of reasons, the main one being copyright: since our collections are 20th and 21st century, the majority of the material is still covered under copyright, and in most cases the Hoover Institution Library & Archives does not own the copyright to the material in its holdings.
If I want to publish material from your collections, can I do so?
Please review information about rights and permissions here and email hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu for further assistance.
Why do I need to select research materials and make a reservation 7 days in advance?
Two primary reasons - (1) Approximately 40% of the Hoover Institution Library & Archives' holdings (90,275 items) are stored off-site and it takes time to pull the material and transport it to campus (2) The Hoover Institution Library & Archives serves unprocessed collections so all material must go through a preservation review to ensure the safety of both the researches and the collections themselves.
How do I get a digital copy of material in the collection?
There are two ways to obtain a digital copy of materials from our collections. Our research services options include 1) Low-resolution reference scanning or 2) high-resolution duplication. For details go to our Research Services page.
Visiting the Library & Archives
Do I need a letter from my university to use the Library & Archives?
No. We are open to the public, free of charge.
Where can I stay on/near campus?
Suggestions about where to stay can be found here. Many hotels offer a Stanford discount, so be sure to mention Stanford when making your reservations.
Which holidays do you close for?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Stanford’s winter closure (two weeks at the end of December/beginning of January that include Christmas and New Year’s Day).
Do you offer monetary support for researchers?
Yes.Please see our Fellowships page
Where can I park?
Visitors may park by the hour or by the day. In general, visitor parking will be enforced on weekdays, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted. There is no enforcement on the weekends. For visitor parking locations and the corresponding ParkMobile zone numbers visit this map.
How do I pay for parking?
In the interest of safety, physical pay stations at visitor parking lots have been taken offline to avoid the touching of shared surfaces that cannot be adequately disinfected throughout the day.Payment for visitor parking has transitioned to a contactless process using the ParkMobile app,website,or pay-by-phone option.Please note that ParkMobile does not accept international credit cards. Go to Stanford Transportation for more details about How to Purchase Visitor ParkingVisitor Parking Rates.
Can I take public transportation?
Yes.There are many different transit options in the Bay Area.Go to Stanford Transportation Visitor information page for more details about using Stanford’s free shuttle service, and other transit options serving Stanford.
