Searchroom Code of Conduct
IMPORTANT NOTICE - NOVEMBER 2012
CLOSURE OF THE ARCHIVES SEARCHROOM IN PREPARATION FOR THE TRANSFER OF STOCK TO THE NEW LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM
From the week commencing Monday 26 November 2012, the archives search room of Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service will be closed to enable the preparation, packaging and removal of stock to the new Library of Birmingham.
We regret the inconvenience this is likely to cause to our users. A newLibrary of Birmingham websitewill be launched soon and this will include contact details for the new Library.
Documents preserved in Birmingham Archives and Heritage are unique. Please help us to preserve these documents by following these rules when using the secure archives searchroom.
Do:
1. Sign the visitors book when entering the searchroom
2. Place coats, bags and items not required for reference purposes in one of the lockers provided. Please note this includes lap top bags and photograph equipment cases
3. Use pencil only
4. Turn pages and handle documents carefully
5. Use book supports and flexible weights where appropriate and ask staff for help if you are uncertain of how to use these
6. Use gloves when required, for example, for photographs
7. Ask for help when moving big items
DO NOT:
8. Eat, drink or chew gum
9. Use mobile telephones
10. Fold, crease or write on documents
11. Lean on documents or run fingers over text
12. Carry open volumes by the edges
13. Trace documents without first consulting staff
14. Take photographs of any item without first consulting staff
SEATING AND ARCHIVAL MATERIAL Please note:
15. When you working on archival material you will be asked to sit in the supervised seating area
16. For security purposes, archival items will be weighed or counted out and in
17. Please return archival items to a member of staff at the counter
The Data Protection Act 1998
Documents in Birmingham Archives and Heritage often contain personal information about living individuals. This information is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998 and access to this information may be restricted. If you are allowed access to documents containing personal information about living individuals, you must abide by certain conditions on how you will use the information. These conditions are set out in the researcher declaration overleaf.
Please read the declaration carefully and check that you understand the conditions before signing and dating the declaration in the space provided.