Library Archive Research Request Form

Streamline Your Archive Research Requests with Paperform

Managing archive research requests shouldn't mean drowning in email chains and phone tag. This Library Archive Research Request Form template helps libraries, universities, historical societies, and special collections efficiently process researcher inquiries while providing a professional, welcoming experience.

Built for Libraries and Research Institutions

Whether you're managing a university special collections department, a public library archive, or a historical society, this template captures everything you need: research topics, date ranges of interest, preferred finding aids, researcher credentials, and appointment scheduling—all in one streamlined form.

The form automatically routes requests to the appropriate archival staff and can be customized to match your institution's policies and collection strengths. Use conditional logic to show different questions based on researcher type (academic, genealogist, journalist, student) or collection area of interest.

Automate Your Archive Workflow with Stepper

Once a researcher submits their request, you can use Stepper to automate what happens next. Create workflows that notify specialized archivists based on collection topics, send pre-visit instructions and reading room policies, add appointments to staff calendars, and update your internal tracking system—all without manual data entry.

Stepper can also trigger follow-up sequences, such as sending finding aids before the appointment or requesting feedback after the research visit, ensuring researchers have the support they need while keeping your team organized.

Professional Forms That Respect Your Patrons

With Paperform's document-style editor, you can create forms that feel informative rather than bureaucratic. Include helpful context about your collections, embed images of notable holdings, explain citation policies, and provide clear guidance about what researchers should prepare before their visit.

The template works beautifully as an embedded form on your library website or as a standalone page. Add your institution's branding, adjust the tone to match your audience, and create an experience that makes researchers feel welcomed and supported from their very first interaction.

Trusted by libraries and archives worldwide, this template helps you maintain professional standards, ensure compliance with access policies, and provide the excellent patron service your collection deserves.