Facilities and services
Anthropology Library and Research Centre
The Anthropology Library and Research Centre is located near the north entrance to the Museum and is home to the Anthropology Library, as well as offering access to information about ethnographic collections and an object identification service.
All levels of enquiries are welcome.
Anthropology Library
The library contains more than 120,000 volumes and 4,000 journal titles, as well as a Pictorial Collection of over 150,000 items. It also incorporates the library of the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI).
Opening hours (from Monday 1 June 2009):
10.00–17.00, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
12.00–17.00, Thursday
Closed: weekends, Bank Holidays and 24 December – 1 January
Collections enquiries
Access is available to copies of object accession registers, the digitised collection database and reference photographs of objects. Access to further archival material can be arranged by appointment.
Other services:
- Object identification
If available, specialist curators will provide opinions (but not valuations) on individual pieces or small collections. It is advisable to contact us in advance and send an image if possible. It is not possible to leave objects with us - Ordering photography
Orders can be placed for existing images at www.bmimages.com and reference images may be viewed - Visiting reserve collections
Appointments can be made to view selected material at our main store or textile store, subject to availability of staff
Please note: there is high demand for visits to the stored collections. We can normally only consider requests made one to two months in advance. - General anthropological or departmental enquiries
Where possible staff can provide information or advice on other museums or institutions which may be of interest or able to give more information on anthropological topics, as well as relevant exhibitions or events in the Museum.
Opening hours (from Monday 1 June 2009):
10.00–12.00 (by appointment only), 13.00–17.00, Monday to Friday
Closed, weekends, Bank holidays and 24 December to 1 January
Security:
All visitors are required to register and produce identification, as well as leave coats, bags and umbrellas in the Museum's cloakrooms.
Staff may also ask to inspect books, folders etc when visitors leave.
Contact the Anthropology Library and Research Centre
Library:
+44 (0)20 7323 8031
anthropologylibrary@britishmuseum.org
Collections enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7323 8041
aoa@britishmuseum.org
Anthropology Library and Research Centre
British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG