This cookies policy applies to library.britishmuseum.org.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files which are sent to your computer or mobile phone from a website's computer (server) and enable that website to 'remember' you, either for the duration of your visit (using a 'session cookie') or for repeat visits (using a 'persistent cookie'). Persistent cookies are stored on your device's hard drive and activated each time you visit the website that created that cookie. Most websites you visit will use cookies or similar technologies (both included within the term "cookies" in this notice) to improve your user experience e.g., by remembering your previous searches of the library catalogue. Cookies usually consist of letters and numbers and will not identify you directly but in some cases, they could indirectly identify you if combined with other information.

The law currently states that we can send "necessary" cookies to your device i.e., functional cookies which are essential to allow you to use the website, but that we must obtain your permission if we wish to use any other cookies.

Our cookie banner appears when you enter this website for the first time. The banner allows you either to accept all our cookies, to accept only essential cookies, or to find out more information about our cookies and then choose your preference. Once you have set your cookie preferences you may change them at any time by returning to this page, which can be found by clicking on the 'Cookies' link at the bottom of the home page on this website. We shall not ask you for your cookie preferences every time you visit this website but if you have not recently updated them, you will be asked to refresh your preferences every six months.

Cookies used on our website

This site uses different types of cookies. Some of our cookies are first party (which means they are set by the British Museum), but other cookies are placed by trusted third parties.

On this site we use cookies provided by KOHA, the developers of the library website software. These are all necessary cookies which are essential for the functioning of the website. Full details on all the essential cookies set by Koha on this website including information on whether they are session or persistent cookies, can be found here.

We also use 3rd party cookies from Google Analytics which are used to record statistics on usage. The cookies from Google Analytics are non-necessary cookies, and you can choose whether to accept these via the cookie banner.

Google Analytics cookies – _ga, _gat, _gid

We use Google Analytics to give us insights into how you interact with our website so that we can improve our content. These cookies collect information and report site usage statistics to the British Museum and Google without personally identifying individual visitors. _ga is the main cookie used by Google Analytics and allows Google to identify unique website users. It lasts for 2 years. _gid is also used to identify the user and expires in 24 hours. _gat does not store any user information and is used to regulate the flow of data. It lasts for one minute.

For more information on these cookies, please see: How Google Uses Cookies.

More information

If you have any questions or concerns about the cookies set by the British Museum, please contact info@britishmuseum.org

Additional information on cookies and your legal rights over their use may also be found on the Information Commissioner's website.

We will update this page as necessary to comply with any changes in UK legislation relating to cookies.
Please visit this page from time to time to ensure that you are aware of any changes.

This information was last updated on 25th February 2022.