State Archives Search Room Operations under Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 215

Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 215 which went into effect at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, 5/14/2021, lifting face covering requirements and other emergency restrictions in most indoor settings with face coverings being strongly recommended for non-vaccinated individuals.  Due to these changes, State Archives public research spaces in Raleigh, the Western Regional Archives in Asheville and the Outer Banks History Center are revising the operations implemented on November 12, 2020. However, some Archives staff will continue to telework as we transition back to pre-pandemic operations.

• Researchers are encouraged to continue using State Archives web resources and contact staff at https://archives.ncdcr.gov/ to determine if they can conduct research remotely.
• Search room hours will remain Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. in Raleigh and the Outer Banks, and Mon., Wed. and Fri., 1-4 p.m. in Asheville. Please contact us if your research requires time outside of our public hours.
• To ensure we have enough staff to meet the needs of our researchers, visitors will need to make an appointment. Only visitors with an appointment will be allowed in the building. However, we will accommodate any visitor without an appointment if adequate staff is available. Please call us to check for up to date access in our research rooms.
• Seating will no longer be limited at each location.
• Visitors and staff are no longer required to wear a face mask. However, everyone may certainly continue to wear face masks, and non-vaccinated employees and visitors are strongly encouraged to do so.
• Plexiglass barriers and hand sanitizers will remain in public spaces.
• Researchers are encouraged to bring their own pencils, laptop or other electronic device, and camera/phone for making copies of documents. Pens are not allowed in the search room.
• Please see the State Archives website for additional details and to prepare for your visit.
• If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you postpone your visit.

Keep up to date with our plans by visiting our website at https://archives.ncdcr.gov/ or following us on social media. We look forward to seeing you soon!