You can take in paper, pencil, laptop, etc. They open at 8:30 if you can be there then. You can research until 11:00 or so and then they begin allowing those who could not get a microfilm reader to replace those working on a first-in-first-out basis. In a room just off the sign up desk, they have census indexes for all the states. These may not be available at the FHC in microfilm form, so this is helpful. Sign up for a reaader first as they may run out. When I went there, they assigned me a desk with a plug for my laptop which was nice. Someone will show you where everything is and explain it to you. Enjoy it. Charlotte