Finding and downloading files

Open your archive's downloader and sign in. Access uses your institution's single sign-on (OIDC), so you log in with the account you already have — no separate password to manage.

Use the search bar to find material, then refine with the facets in the sidebar — by collection, language, country, collector, identifier or entity type. Results update as you go.

Many items exist in more than one format. Pick the archival tier for preservation masters (WAV, MKV, MXF, TIFF), or the compressed tier for smaller everyday copies (MP3). The filter applies as you browse, so you only ever select the versions you want.

Expand a collection into its items and files, and tick the ones you want. Running totals show the size of your selection at every level — file, item and collection — so there are no surprises before you export.

When you are happy with the selection, request the export. The app queues a background job that downloads your files, zips them, and uploads the archive — you do not need to keep the page open.

The export status page shows the job moving through its phases — archiving the files, then uploading the zip. Large selections simply take a little longer.

When the job finishes you can download the zip straight away, and a secure, time-limited link is also emailed to you in case you have closed the page.