The British Museum publication scheme

Reading Room

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 became law on 30 November 2000 and 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 public authorities to disclose information, subject to a range of exemptions. The British Museum is a public body under the terms of the Act.

From 1 January 2005, anyone can make a request for information, 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. Potential exemptions on disclosure of Museum information are listed at the end of the Publication Scheme.

British Museum Publication Scheme

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 from the department specified in the table. Electronic information is available via a hypertext link from the Publication Scheme which will direct you to the correct page on the Museum's website.

This Publication Scheme is established in accordance with Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act. The Information Commissioner has approved our scheme and we are committed to monitor and regularly update it in accordance with the Information Commissioner's guidance.

Fees

All information listed in the publications scheme is 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 contact the relevant department for permission to reproduce 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, as a photocopy or on computer disc, 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 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 in respect of the time spent in locating of copying records, based on a standard hourly rate. Where fees are payable, the enquiry will be answered within 20 working days from 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.

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
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700
Fax: 01625 545510

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.

British Museum Publication Scheme

Description	Format/link	Updated/review
1. Corporate Information: information about the management and functions of the Museum
1.1 Information about the Museum and details of its Trustees and management
British Museum Act 1963	download document PDF 33Kb
Governance Guide	Governance Policies & Principles	Due for review in 2009
Board of Trustees	Trustees	Annually
Senior Staff	The British Museum: management structure	Annually
History of the British Museum	General history
1.2 Objectives, plans, strategy and financial information
Biennial Review	Biennial review	Every two years
Museum Plan	Museum Plan Parts 1 - 4 Financial projections Departmental plans 2001-04	Annually
Annual Report and Accounts	Annual Report & Accounts 2004	Annually
Funding Agreement	Funding Agreement 2001-2004	Every three years
1.3 Policy and Procedures
Acquisitions Policy	Acquisitions
Display Policy	Display
Loans Policy	Loans
Ethics Policy	Ethics
De-accession Policy	De-accession
Volunteers Policy	Volunteers
1.4 Minutes: discussions of the Board of Trustees
Minutes of Trustees' Board meetings	Trustee Board minutes	28 days after Board approval
1.5 Visitor figures and performance indicators
Details of Visitor attendance levels, including use of research facilities and attendance at educational events	On application to Operations Department Latest visitor figures available on the DCMS website	Annually
Lists of those who have given the British Museum financial and other kinds of support	Included in the Annual Review	Annually
1.6 Job vacancies
Current job opportunities	Current opportunities	Daily
1.7 Supporting the Museum financially
Information about the work of the Development Department and about specific campaigns	Fundraising
Information about supporting the Museum	British Museum Friends
Information on leaving a legacy to the British Museum	Legacies
2. Public services and media information: general information for members of the public about the Museum's services and operations; press and public relations information
2.1 Visitor information
Opening hours, access, maps and plans etc	Visiting	Daily
2.2 Media information
Latest news and press releases	News and debate	Daily
2.3 Services for researchers, students and users of Museum's reference services
Information detailing learning events	Learning	Daily
Information for teachers using the Museum	Schools and teachers
Department of Africa , Oceania and the Americas	Africa, Oceania and the Americas
Department of Ancient Egypt & Sudan	Ancient Egypt and Sudan
Department of Asia	Asia
Department of Coins & Medals	Coins and Medals
Department of Greek & Roman Antiquities	Greek and Roman Antiquities
Libraries and Archives	Libraries and Archives
Department of the Middle East	Middle East
Department of Prehistory & Europe	Prehistory and Europe
Department of Prints & Drawings	Prints and Drawings
Free publications and leaflets	On request to Learning and Audience Department
2.4 Services for institutions and other professionals
Conditions of loan and information for other museums and galleries wishing to borrow objects from the Museum's collections	Available on request from the Loans Manager
List of current tenders with specifications for selected contracts	Available on request from Contracts Department
Specifications for all current tenders	Available on request from Contracts Department
Terms and conditions for contracts	Available on request from Contracts Department
2.5 Museum publications and shops
Information about publishing and sales	British Museum Company	Daily
Occasional Papers	Publications
3. Collections information: information about museum objects, their organisation, interpretation and conservation
3.1 General information about objects in the Museum's care
General information on the Museum's collections	Explore
3.2 Information on specific objects or groups of objects
Information on specific items in the collections	Highlights
Information on the Parthenon Sculptures	Parthenon Sculptures
Information on human remains	Human remains
Information on wartime provenance, spoliation	War-time Provenance
Information on current departmental projects	Research projects
3.3 Information on material published by the Museum
Lists of current publications including exhibition catalogues	British Museum Company Ltd
Research Publications and Occasional Papers	Research publications and occasional papers
3.3 Scientific research and conservation
Information on the Museum's scientific research programme	Scientific research

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Freedom of Information Exemptions: Museum information which may be exempt from disclosure

Information	Exemptions which may apply
Collections
Anonymous donors or lenders	Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Archival collections	Section 21 Information reasonably accessible Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Collections acquisition planning	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
Collections records referring to comparative examples in private collections	Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Investigation of damage, loss or theft	Section 31 Law enforcement
Object storage locations	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs Section 38 Health and safety
Opinions on privately-owned objects	Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Research papers	Section 22 Information intended for future publication
Valuations and other information on privately-owned objects on loan	Section 37 (1)(a) Communication with Royal Family and Household Section 40 (2) Personal information
Development and public affairs
Anonymous financial donations or bequests	Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Applications for grants	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
Negotiations with potential donors or sponsors	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Internal policy and administration
Accident investigation	Section 31 Law enforcement
Contractual matters: records of live contracts	Section 43 Commercial interests
Minutes of meetings which records personal, contractual or confidential work-in-progress issues	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 43 Commercial interests
Personal staff files	Section 31 Law enforcement Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Royal Family visits etc.	Section 37 (1)(a) Communication with Royal Family and Household
Security of the building and collections	Section 31 Law enforcement
Work-in-progress files, reports or strategic plans	Section 31 Law enforcement Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs Section 43 Commercial interests
Other third-party data
Advice to government departments on personal taxation and chattels	Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Mailing lists and databases	Section 40 (2) Personal information Section 41 Information provided in confidence
Security assessments of other institutions	Section 36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs