Tennessee State Library and Archives: Visitor Information

Visitor Information

Computers, Laptops, and Scanning Devices

Internet access is available on the computers in our Central Reading Room. A 30 minute time limit may be imposed if other patrons are waiting. Additional guidelines are posted by the computers.

Personal laptops may be used in the building, but we do not offer WiFi access.

Cameras are permitted only in the open access areas of Public Service, not in the Archives and Manuscripts Room.

At the discretion of the Librarian on duty, scanners may be allowed in the Tennessee Reading Room and the Legislative History Reading Room, but NOT in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Items are considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon condition, copyright, and donor restrictions.

Directions

The Tennessee State Library and Archives is located immediately west of the State Capitol Building. The Tennessee Supreme Court Building (at the corner of 7th Avenue North and Charlotte Avenue) is located beside the library.

If you are driving to the library, you may wish to use these directions:

40 East (From Memphis) | 40 West (From Knoxville)

24 East (From St. Louis) | 24 West (From Chattanooga)

65 North (From Birmingham) | 65 South (From Louisville)

Fees

Coin operated photocopies (self service) are available for 15¢ per copy. A time limit is imposed when others are waiting; large orders can be handled by our staff for 25 cents per copy. Coin operated reader-printers (self service) for copies from microfilm and microfiche are available for 25¢ per copy. TSLA staff can prepare copies from microfilmed records for $1 per page.

A limited amount of change is available at our service desk. A change machine is available for $1 and $5 bills.

Public Services Fee Schedule | Photograph Order and Fee Schedule Form

Firearms and Weapons

Firearms and weapons are prohibited in the building (with the exception of officers of the law in the course of their duty [TCA 39-17-1315 9b0 (2)]. It is a misdemeanor to intentionally destroy, conceal, remove or impair the verity, legibility, or availability of a government record [TCA 39-16-504].

Food, Smoking, and Restrooms

Eating and drinking are not permitted in the building. Restrooms are located near the microfilm area.

In accordance with Tennessee state law (Public Chapter 410, Acts of Tennessee), smoking is not permitted inside the Tennessee State Library and Archives or within 50 feet of the main entrance.

Hours and Holidays

The Tennessee State Library and Archives is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00am - 6:00pm CST, excluding state and federal holidays. The Manuscripts Reading Area is open Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm CST.

Please Note: The manuscript materials which have not been microfilmed -- including photographs and maps -- are only available for viewing in the Manuscripts Reading Area. The Manuscripts Reading area is open Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30 pm CST, and is closed on Saturdays. If the manuscript materials you need have not been microfilmed, we may be able to pull selected materials for viewing on a Saturday. Please call TSLA at 615-741-2764 no later than noon of the Friday before your visit with your request. Materials pulled in advance for Saturday viewing will be available from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm.

TSLA will be closed on the following dates:

Labor Day	Monday, September 1, 2008
Veteran's Day	Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thanksgiving	Thursday, November 27, 2008 Friday, November 28, 2008 *
Christmas	Thursday, December 25, 2008

* The Governor has, at his discretion, substituted the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November for the Columbus Day holiday.

Infants and Children

Children must remain under the close supervision of a parent or other adult. Running and loud talking are strictly forbidden.

Manuscript Materials

The majority of original manuscript materials at the Tennessee State Library and Archives have been microfilmed and are available to the public Monday through Saturday from 8:00am - 6:00pm CST, excluding state and federal holidays.

The manuscript materials which have not been microfilmed -- including photographs and maps -- are only available for viewing in the Manuscripts Reading Area. The Manuscripts Reading area is open Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm CST, and is closed on Saturdays. If the manuscript materials you need have not been microfilmed, we may be able to pull selected materials for viewing on a Saturday. Please call TSLA at 615-741-2764 no later than noon of the Friday before your visit with your request. Materials pulled in advance for Saturday viewing will be available from 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Orientation

On your first visit, please ask a staff member to give you our 10-minute orientation / tour. This will help you understand the arrangement of materials. If at any time you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Parking

Parking is available in designated visitor spots at the front and side of the Tennessee State Library and Archives building. The number of spots is limited and they fill up very early each morning. Visitors CANNOT park in the NUMBERED spots around the building; these spots are reserved Monday - Friday and unauthorized cars will be ticketed and / or towed. On Saturdays and after 4:30 PM weekdays, these numbered spots are not reserved and may be used by visitors to the library.

PLEASE NOTE that the roads to the north and west of the Tennessee State Library and Archives are now one way.

Registration and Security

ALL VISITORS TO TSLA MUST SIGN IN AT THE GUARD DESK.

All TSLA patrons are required to present a state or federal ID card (such as a drivers license) when entering the building. The patron will be issued a registration card; this card must be presented on each future visit. When entering and leaving the building, patrons will present their briefcase, bag, backpack, purse, and / or notebook for examination by the guard. Lockers are available for storage of patrons' belongings during their visit. We are not responsible for items left unattended in the reading rooms. Visitors using original manuscripts will be required to leave their belongings in a locker. All patrons must clear out their lockers and return locker keys when leaving the building.

Backpacks are not allowed into the main area of TSLA and must be stored in a locker. If a backpack is too large to fit in a locker, then it must either be locked in the patron's vehicle or stored in the main lobby while using TSLA materials.

Telephones and Cell Phones

A pay telephone is located in the hallway near the microfilm cabinets. As a courtesy to our other patrons, we ask that you turn off cell phones while in the building; please make outgoing cell phone calls outside the building or in the entranceway lobby.

Updated September 25, 2008