SEARCHROOM USER GUIDE

Our research material is broadly divided into three categories: Archives (original source documents), image and audiovisual (photographs, films and videos), and reference library (printed and published sources). Some materials are in a fragile condition; we reserve the right to withhold these.

Documents open for public inspection are searchable and, where scanned are available to view on our online catalogue.

The photographic collection is searchable and, where scanned is available to view on our online catalogue. A selection of historical photographs, films and videos can be viewed online.

Journals, reference books and other printed sources can be searched using our online catalogue.

When viewing a catalogue record online, you can click the title to see the record in context. This will show you how the record fits into our collection as well as the different records series.

BT Group Archives is open to pre-booked visits on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 and 16:00.

Please book your visit via the booking form.

Contact archives@bt.com if you need any help or have any questions about your booking.

Spaces are limited so please book as early as you can. Note that we sometimes need to schedule closures on certain dates.

We have two retrieval slots per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

You can order a maximum of 10 items for the morning and 10 for the afternoon.

Search our online catalogue to find the material you would like to view during your visit. Complete the Item Request Form (provided in your booking confirmation email) at least 24 hours before your appointment so we can prepare the material for you.

If it is your first visit and/or you are unsure about what to order or you’d like some help using the catalogue, let us know at the time of booking and we will help you identify relevant materials either over email or during your first visit.

Let us know you have arrived using the BT Archives button on the intercom outside the building. We will come and collect you.

Have your photographic and address identification ready.

An Access to BT Group Archives form will have been sent to you with your booking confirmation email. This must be completed before your visit.

Wi-Fi is available in the searchroom.

Our documents are mostly unique and irreplaceable. To make sure they survive for future researchers we ask you to follow these guidelines:

Do’s…

• Do use the free lockers to secure your belongings
• Do only use pencil to make notes
• Do feel free to take photographs for personal research purposes, but no flash please.
• Do look at one item at a time, to avoid mixing up papers between items
• Do return documents and files in the exact order they were produced
• Do use the available support cushions/cradles for large books or for volumes with weak spines
• Do let the archivist know if you notice any damage to the documents

Don’ts…

• Don't eat or drink in the search room
• Don't mark the documents in any way
• Don't lean on documents or open volumes, or rest on them to write notes
• Don't stack open volumes on top of each another
• Don't attempt to take documents out of the search room

Our documents are available on condition that no re-use or publishing is done without our permission.

You can take your own photos of materials subject to copyright restrictions and as long as the photos are for your own personal research and non-commercial use only. There is no charge for taking photographs.