Templer Study Centre Rules

Introduction

The National Army Museum (NAM) encourages everyone to conduct research for themselves and welcomes readers into the Templer Study Centre (TSC). Prior appointment is advised for consulting archive material as restrictions exist on collections which require conservation, contain personal data, or are closed to external access for other reasons.

Reading room

• The TSC reading room is only for registered readers using material held by NAM.
• Readers must have a valid reader’s card and it must be shown for each visit to enter the TSC reading room.
• To ensure the safety and security of our collections, all coats, bags and laptop bags must be left in the lockers which are provided outside the TSC reading room. A transparent bag may be used for laptops, pencils and notebooks.
• Readers may only use pencils and laptops for study in the TSC reading room.
• No food or drink (including bottled water) is allowed in the TSC reading room.
• Readers must not bring in material considered historical militaria similar to that held in the NAM collection. Historical books may be brought in, but must be declared to staff upon arrival.
• Mobile phones are permitted, but must be left on silent. Headphones may be used, but at a volume inaudible to others.
• Readers should treat the TSC reading room, staff and fellow readers with respect at all times.

Collections care

• The care and conservation of NAM collection items overrides the right to public access. Materials requested by the public will only be provided for study if NAM staff and/or management believe the object is safe to be handled.
• All readers are expected to handle objects with due care and diligence in line with the provided handling guidelines. Readers must take every care to avoid removal, damage or marking any collection items. Book supports and weights can be provided and are expected to be used. Archive material must be retained in the order in which they were received.
• Damage or theft of material is an offence and those responsible will be prosecuted.

Handling guidelines

Please familiarise yourself with our handling dos and don'ts. Following these guidelines will help us preserve our unique collections for future use.

Please do not:

• bring any food or drink into the TSC reading room.
• lick your fingers when turning pages.
• use your finger to follow the text; acid free paper is available to use as a guide.
• let materials hang over the edge of the desk or place them on the floor or chairs.
• remove material from transparent sleeves.
• make any annotations or alterations to the material.
• remove any bindings or fastenings from the material.
• lean on or trace over material.
• use flash photography.

Please do:

• ensure your hands are clean and dry before handling material.
• use pencils when making notes.
• ensure you have enough desk space.
• handle documents carefully and turn the pages from the edges.
• use the foam wedges and book cushions to support bound volumes and the snake weights to hold open pages.
• consult only one file at a time, keeping the file in original order, and never removing individual sheets from the file.
• use the map table in the corner of the TSC reading room when consulting maps or outsize material.
• use the weights available to hold down corners of large or curled material.
• let a member of staff know if any material is mislabelled, damaged or missing.
• ask a member of staff if you have any queries or require assistance; we are here to help.

Photography and IPR

• It is the responsibility of the reader to comply with the relevant legislation on copyright and data protection.
• Photographs taken by the reader's own device in the TSC reading room must not use flash.
• Photography with the reader's own device is only permitted for personal study use. Any photography intended for commercial use must be discussed with the Picture Library.
• NAM will not photocopy any materials from its collections. Should you wish to obtain copies of NAM collection items not yet digitised, you may request TSC staff to do so. This will likely incur an administrative fee, which will be advised on by staff at the time of request.

Security and behaviour

• All visitors to the museum site must act in accordance with our security policies and procedures, and our code of conduct for visitors.
• TSC staff reserve the right to inspect your personal possessions upon request.