
#British library manuscripts online registration#
It might also help to show the letter to staff in our Reader Registration office when applying in person for a British Library Reader Pass. We recommend that you bring the letter with you to the relevant Reading Room ( Manuscripts or Asian and African Studies) in our main building at St Pancras and show it to the member of staff on duty at the Reference Enquiry Desk before placing an order. The name and position of the person supplying the letter for you.please indicate the training you have received) The level of experience you have in the use of vulnerable, original material (if you are enrolled on a Masters course or are beginning a Ph.D.The type of material you wish to consult (if you want to see a small number of specific items please list them).journal article or ongoing academic research) What you intend to do with your research (e.g.The reason you are conducting research (if engaged in academic research please indicate your status, e.g.Your name (and British Library Reader Pass number, if you have one).We cannot therefore accept emails, but the letter can be sent in as a scanned attachment with an email message The letter should be signed and on headed paper.The letter should be from someone appropriate or suitable, such as an academic colleague, tutor, archivist, publisher, agent or member of a relevant society.The letter should be from someone who knows you, and can explain and personally support your need to see manuscript material held at the British Library.Who can supply a letter and the form it should take The following information is guidance on obtaining a letter of introduction or recommendation. Letter of introduction (or recommendation) Please contact the Reference Enquiry Team for further advice. If there is a note in the detailed catalogue description saying ‘Access Conditions: Restrictions to access apply, please consult British Library staff’ then this indicates that there are further restrictions in addition to the need to supply us with a letter of introduction.
#British library manuscripts online archive#
Please note that additional restrictions apply to some of our most vulnerable and important manuscript and archive material. Please contact us if you encounter either of these problems. There may be reasons why we cannot make something available (on exhibition, undergoing conservation or digitisation, etc.) but we may be able to supply a surrogate in place of the original. Note that we have surrogates for many of the items in the Special Access (Select) category, so you may be able to conduct your research without a letter. The items are normally identified in the Archives and Manuscripts catalogue by a note in the Details description saying ‘Conditions of Use: Letter of introduction required to view this manuscript’. Materials typically found in this Special Access (Select) category include medieval literary and illuminated items, important historical documents and works by famous or important authors.

The privilege lasts as long as your pass is valid, so you need to supply us with a new letter if you renew your British Library Reader Pass. We can then increase your privileges on the ordering system so you can order certain valuable/fragile items relevant to your area of research interest. If you need to handle our more vulnerable and important items you need to supply us with a letter of introduction (or recommendation). Western manuscripts requiring a letter of introductionĪ significant number of the British Library’s manuscripts and archives are very valuable and/or fragile. You may also find details about specific items on our Archives and Manuscripts catalogue. If you are planning to see a specific collection item, should check in advance whether any restrictions to access apply by contacting a member of the Reference Enquiry Team. Most manuscript and archive items can be seen by anyone with a valid British Library Reader Pass, but some items may be temporarily unavailable, and viewing others requires special permission.
