Managing requests for information
Policy statement about how written requests are handled by the British Library.
The British Library will respond to written requests for information according to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Although much of the information within our Collections is reasonably accessible to users and therefore is exempt under the terms of the Act, it is Library policy that staff will allocate up to 30 minutes research time to such enquiries. This may be followed, if necessary, by referral either to an internal priced research service, or to an external research agency. The purpose of such research is to discover whether or not the Library holds the information being sought and to provide the information whenever possible. The Library will continue to provide advice and assistance to users undertaking their own research on the collections we hold.
