In all of the archives reading rooms, the public has free access to the documents and finding aids. Public access to the records in Latvia is envisaged in the Law "On Archives". The legislation provides opening of public archives without particular restriction (with several exceptions in the cases of national security, commercial sensitivity or personal confidentiality). The most significant legislative acts dealing with access to information are the Law "On State Secret" (1996), the Freedom of Information Law (1998) and the Personal Data Protection Law (2000). The documents with a limited access can be used for scientific purposes in accordance with the existing regulations.
Services of reading rooms:
- Consultations of experienced archivists about content and structure of the archives holdings;
- Reading rooms provide access to inventory lists, indexes, descriptions, catalogues, and reference books
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On user's request, photocopies and microfilm copies of documents can be made according
price list -
Consultations of experienced archivists about content and structure of the archives holdings;
-
Reading rooms provide access to inventory lists, indexes, descriptions, catalogues, and reference books
-
On user's request, photocopies and microfilm copies of documents can be made according
price list
To work in a reading room one must write an application addressed the director of relevant archive, with his personal data and the subject of the research work, as well as the chronological period. In case that it's impossible to determine the framework of needed documents, he should be consulted by the experts of relevant archive. The application should be submitted personally or by mail. The researcher will be registered as reader, when he obtain a permit (resolution of the application), present a personal identification document and fill in reader form at archives. During work in a reading room the “Rules of Conduct in the Reading Room” and other legislative regulations must be observed.
The use of archives records and finding aids (inventory lists, guidebooks, directories, catalogues, card indexes etc.) in the reading rooms of the state archives is without charge. Additional services (e.g. use of special technical equipment - for film screening and sound records) should be paid according price list.
