The British Museum Publication Scheme
The scheme explains what information the Museum makes available to the public and where possible provides an easy method of accessing this information.
Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act aims to develop a culture of openness in government and public bodies. The Act establishes a right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities and imposes obligations on them to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions. The British Museum is a public body under the terms of the Act.
Anyone can make a request for information to the Museum, although the request must be in writing (letter or e-mail). The Act gives applicants two related rights:
- The right to be told whether the information exists
- The right to receive the information, where possible in the manner requested
In some cases, where information is exempt from disclosure, the Museum is required to consider whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption in question outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
British Museum Publication Scheme
Section 19 of the Act obliges every public authority to adopt an approved Publication Scheme. The intention of a Publication Scheme is to require authorities to make certain kinds of information routinely available to the public. The British Museum has adopted the model Publication Scheme for Authorities established to manage museums, libraries, and archives taking effect from 1 January 2009 in compliance with guidance from the Information Commissioner.
The information listed in the Publication Scheme is generally made available in electronic format but can be provided as a hardcopy on request in writing (email is acceptable) or by phone.
Fees
All information listed in the Publication Scheme is available free of charge.
Copyright
Information which is generated by the British Museum and included in this Publication Scheme may be reproduced for information and personal study only. Please refer to our Terms of Use for information about reproducing images.
Permission to reproduce information in the Publication Scheme does not extend to any material which is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.
How to make a request for information not included in the Publication Scheme
Requests for information not listed in the Publication Scheme should be made in writing to the Museum and should provide as much detail as possible to enable Museum staff to identify the information sought. If you require the information in a particular format, for example, in hard copy or electronically, this should be stated in your application. If you have difficulty in identifying the precise information you require, or difficulty in making the application in writing, Museum staff will be pleased to help.
In general the British Museum is required to respond to requests for information within 20 working days. If a fee is to be charged, this will be calculated according to the Fees Regulations published by the Information Commissioner. Under the Act, fees may be charged based on a standard hourly rate in respect of the time spent in determining whether the Museum holds the information, locating the information or a document which may contain the information, retrieving the information or a document which may contain the information, and extracting the information from a document containing it,. Where fees are payable, the enquiry will be answered within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the fee.
The Museum's postal address is:
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7323 8000
Email enquiries:
General visitor information information@britishmuseum.org
Information about the Museum's collection collectionenquiries@britishmuseum.org
Appeals and complaints procedure
If you are dissatisfied with the response you have had from the Museum in respect of a request for information you may invoke the appeals and complaints procedure. The first step is to seek an internal review of the decision you have received. Requests for internal review should be submitted in writing to the Information Manager at the Museum.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome or the handling of the internal review conducted by the Museum you may seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner.
Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to:
The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Further information about this scheme, comments
If you need any further information about the contents of the Museum's Publication Scheme or have any comments about access to Museum information, please contact the Information Manager.
Publication Scheme
1. Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts
1.1 Roles and responsibilities
Management and Governance
Trustees
1.2 Organisational structure
Senior staff
1.3 Trustees, management board members and senior staff
Trustees
Senior staff
1.4 The locations of and public access arrangements to establishments managed by the Museum
Visiting
1.5 Contact details for the Museum
Contact us
1.6 Subsidiary bodies
Registered addresses and details
2. What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit
2.1 Funding agreement
Funding Agreement 2008-2011
2.2 Financial statements, budgets and variance reports
Annual Report and Accounts
Government Transparency Agenda
2.3 Purchasing plans for exhibits and planned expenditure for exhibitions
The British Museum strategy to 2012
Annual Report and Accounts
Museum Reviews
2.4 Spending reviews
Annual Report and Accounts
Museum Reviews
2.5 Grants and donations
Annual Report and Accounts
Museum Reviews
2.6 Financial audit reports
Annual Report and Accounts
2.7 Staff and board members’ allowances and expenses
Management Statement
Financial Memorandum
2.8 Pay and grading structures
Jobs
Government Transparency Agenda
2.9 Procurement and tendering procedures and copies of tender documents
On application to Head of Procurement
2.10 Contracts currently available for public tender
On application to Head of Procurement
2.11 Details of contracts awarded and their value and copies of contract documents (subject to redaction)
On application to Head of Procurement
2.12 Financial statements for projects and events
Annual Report and Accounts
Government Transparency Agenda
2.13 Internal financial regulations
Management Statement
Financial Memorandum
3. What are our priorities and how are we doing
Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews
3.1 Strategic plans
The British Museum strategy to 2012
3.2 Annual business plan
The British Museum strategy to 2012
3.3 Annual report
Annual Report and Accounts
Museum Review 2007/08
3.4 Internal and external reviews of the Museum’s performance
Museum Review 2007/08
Available from National Audit Office
3.5 Funding agreement reports
Annual Report & Accounts
3.6 Visitor figures and audience research
Available via DCMS website
Additional information available from Learning and Audience Department
4. How we make decisions
Decision making processes and records of decisions
4.1 Minutes of senior level meetings
Trustee Board
5. Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities
5.1 Policies and procedures for the conduct of business
Museum governance
5.2 Policies and procedures for the provision of services
Museum governance
5.3 Policies and procedures for the recruitment and employment of staff
Jobs
Museum governance
5.4 Customer service
Contact details
Access facilities
5.5 Records management and personal data policies
Web site terms of use
5.6 Charging regimes and policies
Terms of use for free image service
Terms of use for shop online
BMImages terms and conditions
BMImages help
5.7 Collection and collection care
Collection database
6. Lists and registers
6.1 Asset registers
Annual Report and Accounts
6.2 Disclosure logs
On application to the Information Manager
6.3 Register of gifts and hospitality provided to Trustees and senior personnel
On application to the Governance Manager
6.4 Register of interests
On application to the Governance Manager
7. The services we offer
Information about the services we currently provide including leaflets, guidance and newsletters produced
7.1 Information about the collection and related research material, including catalogues
and other finding aids:
Research
Collection database
Explore
7.2 Access arrangements
Visiting
7.3 Exhibitions
All current exhibitions
7.4 Services for which fees are charged and details of those charges
BMImages help
Shop online
7.5 Opportunities for volunteers
Volunteers
7.6 Educational services
Learning
7.7 Publications, leaflets, booklets and newsletters
e newsletter
On request from Information Desk, telephone +44(0)20 7323 8000 or email: information@britishmuseum.org
7.8 Advice and guidance
Visiting
7.9 Media releases
News and press releases
7.10 Publication for the purposes of Part 6 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
Objects on loan