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National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) Publication Scheme

Last updated 18 March 2009

Introduction to the NMSI

The NMSI is the world's pre-eminent museum devoted to the history and contemporary practice of science, medicine, technology and industry.

The NMSI is made up of the Science Museum in South Kensington, the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford. It is also supported by the Science Museum storage facility in Wroughton, and by its trading company, NMSI Trading Ltd.

What is the Publication Scheme?

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 establishes a general right of access to information held by public bodies, subject to certain exemptions.

The publication scheme is a summary of the standard information that NMSI makes available to the public. The Scheme also provides details of any charges that are payable to obtain the information.

NMSI are committed to proactively making available useful and current information, online where-ever possible.

How do I obtain documents and information available under the Publication Scheme?

The NMSI Publication Scheme menu provided below lists the information available, much of which is available online.

If you are unable to access the information you want using the menu, then please contact us in writing as per below:

Email: foi@nmsi.ac.uk

Or

Freedom of Information Officer
Corporate and Collections Information
The Science Museum
Exhibition Road
London
SW7 2DD

Exempt Information

NMSI may consider that some information it holds is exempt from public access, due to considerations such as security, commercial confidentiality, and references to personal details.

When access to such information is requested, we will clearly explain the exemption that has been applied and why it is considered relevant.

Will I be charged for the information?

All information that is available through the online links is free of charge and we do not normally charge for providing information referred to in the Publication Scheme.

However, for requests which involve a substantial amount of documentation, we do reserve the right to charge to cover the costs of photocopying and postage. If charges apply, information concerning these will be provided before the information is provided. A summary of charges is provides below:

Printing and copying

  • Black and white 2p per page
  • Colour 10p per page

Postage

  • Standard postage charges

Commercial Publications

  • Retail price

Are there any restrictions in my use of the information?

Information included in NMSI's Publication Scheme may be reproduced once for non-commercial research and private study purposes only.

What if I want to make a complaint?

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the NMSI in respect of a request for information, you may pursue this through the appeals and complaints procedure. You must make any complaint within twelve-months of your first request. Please address your complaint to the Corporate and Collections Information Manager, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD.

If you are dissatisfied with the way your complaint has been dealt with, you may then refer the matter to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees via the Committee Manager, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD. If, after appeal to the Chairman you are still dissatisfied, you may seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Publication scheme menu

The Scheme is divided into seven broad classes of information (who we are and what we do?, what we spend and how we spend it?, what are our priorities and how are we doing?, how we make decisions, our policies and procedures, lists and registers and the services we offer).

A copy of the Publication Scheme is available here in PDF format and can be obtained in written form (including large print) if you write to: Freedom of Information Officer, Corporate and Collections Information, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD; or by email to: foi@nmsi.ac.uk.

Category/Item Updated

Who we are and what we do.

NMSI contact details Annually
NMSI corporate plan Annually
History of the Science Museum Annually
History of the Science Museum at Wroughton Annually
History of National Railway Museum Annually
History of National Media Museum Annually
NMSI Press releases As needed
Current NMSI trusteesAnnually
NMSI organisational structure chart As required
Science Museum organisational structure chart As required
National Railway Museum organisational structure chart As required
National Media Museum organisational structure chart As required
Trustees biographies Available on request As required
NMSI senior staff biographies Available on request As required
Job vacancies at the Science Museum As required
Job vacancies at the National Railway Museum As required

What do we spend and how do we spend it?

Annual Report and Accounts Annually
Funding Agreement between DCMS and NMSI Every three years
Grants, donors, gifts, bequests and sponsorships (Listed in the Annual Report and Accounts pg. 20-21) Annually
Financial Statements, budgets and variance reports Available on request Annually
Planned expenditure for exhibits and exhibitions Available on request Annually
Senior staff allowances and expenses Available on request Annually
Pay and grading structure Annually
Statement of System of Internal Controls (Provided in Annual Report and Accounts pg.31-33)As required
List of contracts awarded Available on request Annually
List of grants Available on request Annually

What are our priorities and how are we doing?

NMSI Annual Report and Accounts Annually
NMSI attendance figures 2007-8 (Provided in 2007-8 Annual Report and Accounts pg.15-17) Annually
NMSI attendance figures 2006-7 (Provided in 2007-8 Annual Report and Accounts pg. 15-17) Annually
NMSI attendance figures 2005-6 (Provided in 2006-7 Annual Report and Accounts pg. 16-18) Annually
Staff research and publications (Provided in 2007-8 Annual Report and Accounts pg.58-60) Annually
Audience research Available on request As required
Visitor research reports Available on request As required

How we make decisions

Summaries of minutes from the meetings of the Board of Trustees Available on request Quarterly
Summaries of other minutes of senior level meetings Available on request Monthly

Our policies and procedures

Policies and procedures for the provision of services Summaries available on request As required
Policies and procedures for the conduct of business Summaries available on request As required
Policies and procedures concerning collections and collections care Summaries available on request As required
Polices and procedures ICT E-Waste Management As required
Records management policies:
Data Protection Policy As required
Freedom of Information Policy As required

Lists and registers

Object listing As required
Capital Asset registers (Provided in Annual Report and Accounts pg.48-49) As required
Register of Trustees interests Annually

Our services

Visitor information - Science Museum As required
Visitor information - National Railway Museum As required
Visitor information - National Media Museum As required
Exhibitions - Science Museum As required
Exhibitions - National Railway Museum As required
Exhibitions - National Media Museum As required
Education - Science Museum As required
Education - National Railway Museum As required
Education - National Media Museum As required
Science Museum Library As required
Search Engine - National Railway Museum Library and Archive Centre As required
Insight - National Media Museum Research Centre As required
Science Museum Collections As required
National Railway Museum Collections As required
National Media Museum Collections As required
Science and Society Picture Library As required
Science Museum Volunteer opportunities As required
National Railway Museum volunteer opportunities As required
Science Museum corporate events As required
National Railway Museum corporate events As required
National Media Museum corporate events As required
Sponsorship opportunities at the Science Museum As required
Sponsorship opportunities at the National Media Museum As required
Sponsorship opportunities at the National Railway Museum As required
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