Access and Research

The national collections are held in trust for the citizens of the Velocity Interoperability Network, and the Museums Office exists to make them known. Objects not on display, and the records that describe them, may be consulted in the study rooms of the National Study Centre at Westbrook, which open on 18 January 2027. Until then, the records of the 41,286 objects catalogued in the first register may be requested by email.

Consulting an object. The same steps are followed whatever the division in which the material is held.

1. 1

   Step 1: Write to the Office

   Write by email giving the accession number of the object if you know it, or as full a description of it as you can give, together with the purpose of your study.

2. 2

   Step 2: The Office replies within ten working days

   The reply confirms whether the object is held, where it is stored, and any conditions attached to its transfer that bear on access. Where an object is fragile or restricted, alternative material is suggested.

3. 3

   Step 3: Book a study room session

   Sessions are booked by email and confirmed by the Office. Up to three objects, or one box of documents or specimens, may be consulted at a single session.

4. 4

   Step 4: Attend the study room

   Readers are received at the National Study Centre at Westbrook. Objects are brought by the staff of the store, laid on the reading tables, and handled under supervision. Pencils only may be used; stands, weights and gloves are provided.

5. 5

   Step 5: After the visit

   Copies of the catalogue record, and photographs taken for personal study where permission has been given, are supplied by email on request. Further sessions may be booked in the same way.

Study room sessions. Sessions run on the days and at the times below, and the reading places of each are limited. The evening session is reserved for staff of member organisations who cannot attend during the working day.

Conditions of access. The conditions below apply in the study rooms and to the supply of records.

Appointment required

The study rooms are open only to readers with a confirmed booking. The collections are not browsable: objects are brought to the reading tables from the stores by the staff.

Handling under supervision

Every object is handled under the supervision of the staff of the store. Some material, including works on paper, textiles and mounted specimens, may be examined only by the staff on the reader's behalf.

Restricted material

Records that name living persons are published and made available in summary only. Conditions attached to a transfer, including restrictions on display, reproduction or loan, are recorded in the register and are observed.

Photography and publication

Photography for personal study is permitted on request and without flash. Reproduction or publication of an image of an object, including on another website, requires the written permission of the Office.

Copies and enquiries

Copies of catalogue records and of unpublished material that is unrestricted are supplied by email without charge for personal study and research. Enquiries are answered within ten working days.

Loans. Objects are lent to exhibitions organised by member organisations and by other public bodies. Requests are considered by the loans panel, which meets each quarter; an object is lent only where its condition permits, where the borrowing premises meet the requirements of security and environment set by the Office, and where the loan does not unreasonably empty the galleries or the study rooms. Requests should describe the exhibition, the premises and the period of the loan, and may be sent to contact@museums.gov.vin.

The divisions of the collections and the state of cataloguing in each are set out on the Collections page; the museum in which each division will be shown on the Our Museums page; and the work of the studios in the Office's statistics. All enquiries of access and research may be sent to contact@museums.gov.vin.