The documentary resources centre is a privileged source of ideas and information for research work. While it is primarily used by the Mining History Centre for creating the museum programme (exhibitions, projections and events) and for its various publications (the “Mémoires de Gaillette” collection, internal newsletter, press, etc.), a large amount of work is also carried out by researchers from a variety of backgrounds: publishing and cinema professionals and academics, but also individuals wishing to trace the history of their workplace, a specific event or isolated incident, or to obtain further information following a visit to the museum.

Each year, the centre plays host to some one hundred researchers. Half of these are academics from universities in the region or elsewhere in France, from all disciplines and at all levels from bachelor’s degree to doctorate. The centre houses within its collections more than 200 pieces of academic work, created using its collections, in a range of disciplines: architecture, law, social sciences, science, medicine, engineering studies and more. Subjects vary widely: electrification of the mines in the Pas-de-Calais between 1880 and 1930, social law in the French nationalised mining company between 1810 and 1939, the role of physical activity in the Nord-Pas de Calais mining companies’ management policy during the 1870-1939 period or the Pas-de-Calais wind bands, brass bands and brass and drum bands between 1880 and 1950, to name but a few.

Numerous themes have yet to be explored. Within the centre’s collections, researchers will find sources capable of throwing new light on the history of the coalfield.