Introduction
Anyone can visit the National Monuments Record Centre in
Swindon, or the London search-room in Blandford Street, and consult the
records free of charge. Please see ‘Contacting Us’ for details of
opening times. Some basic rules and guidelines for visitors are listed
below [2], [3]. Other information sheets explaining the services are
available and staff are there to provide further advice and assistance.
An appointment?
It is not necessary to make an appointment before visiting, but
doing so can ensure that your time with us is most usefully spent.
Although some of our collections are on open access, many more are held
in our archive store and may not always be available on the day of your
visit if you have not made an appointment. There are three kinds of
collections available - ‘open access’, retrievable at ‘two
hours notice’ and retrievable only after receipt of a ‘formal
search request’. It takes time to retrieve records, and because our
staff are often busy servicing orders we cannot guarantee to fetch
materials at short notice.
‘Open Access’ Collections
The principal open access collections include: reference library of
32,000 books, journals and periodicals covering archaeology and
architecture; ‘Red Box’ collections for oblique air photography
(but not the Military Obliques); ‘Red Box’ collections for buildings
photography and archaeological photography; Medieval Wall Paintings
collection; Stained Glass Collection; Rokeby railway stations
collection.
‘Two hours notice’ Collections
Much of the material held in our archive store can be retrieved for
you at around two hours notice. In our Public Search Room are
catalogues and indexes to collections which can be retrieved in this
way. Catalogues include: Hand list of Archaeological Archives,
Archaeological Surveys, Hand list to the Ordnance Survey Portfolio
Archive, Measured Drawings Index, Buildings Index Files (green folders)
and Country Life Prints. Some catalogues are also available on this web
site.
To consult this material please complete an archive request form.
The forms are collected from the search-room at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm,
3.30pm and the relevant archive made available as soon as possible.
Please note that there are limits on the amount of archive material you
can see on a single visit.
Collections accessible only after a formal search request
Some collections and products are only available after completion of
a formal search request form. Archive items which are not immediately
accessible include our vertical and military oblique air photographic
print collections and those photographic prints, slides and negatives
held in cold storage in our archive. Staff will explain access
requirements to such material. Please note that no searches of our
databases can be made on the day of your visit.
Collections not available
Some material indexed in our catalogues or identified on our
searches may not be available, particularly if is being re-catalogued or
is in use by other visitors or English Heritage staff.
Products
Subject to copyright status we can supply photocopies, laser copies
and photographic prints of many of the images, reports and plans in our
collections as well as providing database listings. There are
self-service photocopying facilities in the search room, although some
items may not be copied because of copyright status, size, age or
fragility. Please check with staff before copying any item.
Photocopying must be carried out in accordance with copyright
law; a list of legal allowances is displayed next to the photocopier.
Orders for laser copies and photographic prints can be made by
completing an order form, and we will advise you of the likely
turnaround times.
Access. Disabled access is provided to the search room and
toilets.
Canteen. Visitors are welcome to use the canteen on the ground
floor.
Telephone. There is a public payphone in the waiting room on the
ground floor.
[2] TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USING
SEARCH-ROOMS
The NMR is a unique source of information on England’s architectural
and archaeological heritage. We want the collection to remain available
for many generations to come and need to conserve the material we hold.
We ask you to help us by observing the following simple rules.
Children
Children under seven are not usually admitted and children over
seven must be closely supervised by an adult.
Clothing and Bags
Please do not wear shoes with pointed heels or metal reinforcements
that could damage the old wooden floors of our listed building. Outdoor
clothes, umbrellas, bags and briefcases must be left in the secure
reception area cloakroom and not taken into the search rooms. We can
supply clear wallets for you to carry necessary papers and personal
belongings.
Food and Drink
Please do not bring food or drinks into the search room.
Signing In
You will be asked to sign in at reception where you will be issued
with a security pass: this must be worn at all times. You will then be
directed to the public search room where you will be asked to sign the
visitor’s book, giving details of your name, address and reason for
visit. This signifies that you accept the NMR rules and licence as
outlined in this leaflet.
Using NMR Materials
Only pencil may be used in the public search room. Ink, pens,
correcting fluids, felt tips, biros, highlighters, adhesives, sharp
instruments, newspapers and other objects likely to mark or damage
reference materials must be left in your bag at reception. Please ask
the staff on duty if you wish to use personal computers and tape
recorders. You may not use cameras or scanners. Out of consideration for
other users please be as quiet as possible in the search rooms and turn
off mobile phones. Always return photographic prints and other items to
their correct boxes and folders and in the correct sequence. Files and
books should be placed on the trolley in the search room when you have
finished with them - please do not return them to the shelves yourself.
Please do not lean on photographs, drawings, maps, books or any other
material or rest any objects on them or mark or annotate them in any
way. You may be asked to use a bookrest or support for certain items. We
will provide gloves for handling especially sensitive materials. If you
find any damaged material, please contact a member of staff.
Supply of Materials
If as a visitor you make or receive a copy of NMR information the
material is made available to you under an agreement ([2] below). The
supply of copies of NMR materials is governed by copyright rules. We are
required to issue an agreement for all of the information we provide,
even where it is only being used for private study. If you wish to use
the materials for any purpose other than private study you may be
charged a reproduction fee.
[3] AGREEMENT FOR USE OF INFORMATION FROM
THE NMR
- Use of National Monuments Record (NMR) Information
The NMR is part of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission
for England ("English Heritage").
All information provided from the NMR is supplied by English
Heritage in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
to the individual, organisation, or company making the original
enquiry ("You"), for internal purposes or private research, as
specified by You. It is supplied in accordance with NMR service
standards and payment terms.
You may not copy, publish, or otherwise make available, or
commercially exploit information supplied from the NMR under this
Agreement without the NMR’s written permission, whether or not the
information supplied is copyright material.
The information must not be used for purposes which may lead to
damage to archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscapes.
- Reproduction and Charges
English Heritage, the Crown, or other licensors are the owners of
all rights including copyright and database rights in the information.
If You wish to reproduce, publish or otherwise make available or
commercially exploit it, or any part of it, You must apply for
permission to NMR Enquiry & Research Services at the address below
before You carry out any reproduction or publication. Reproduction
fees may be payable regardless of the copyright status of the
information requested. Where applicable, we may direct You to the
relevant copyright holder if we are not authorised to give information
on the copyright holder’s behalf.
Warning: Reproduction fees for applications made at short notice or
following reproduction/publication are higher than the standard rates
due to the need to expedite the application.
- Assignment
Your rights under this Agreement cannot be assigned, transferred,
or sub-licensed without the prior written permission of the NMR.
- Breach
Failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement by You will be
construed as a material breach of them, and will result in the
immediate termination of the Agreement. The NMR may, where
appropriate, seek compensatory damages from You and/or the return of
any Information supplied under this Agreement.
- Disclaimer
English Heritage gives no warranties in connection with the
information provided to You pursuant to this Agreement including in
relation to its completeness and/or accuracy. English Heritage cannot
be held responsible for any decisions made in reliance on the
information.
6. Jurisdiction
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and subject
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
