Many specimens are sealed in display jars. Material is mainly used for undergraduate teaching but is always available for research. At present 7 glass cabinets in the front foyer of the Heydon Laurence building AO8 are used for displays of museum material which illustrate current topics in Intermediate Biology Animals courses and students are required to spend 1 hour per week studying these as part of their coursework. Each of these displays changes every 5-6 weeks during semester. Specimens are available for loan on request to anyone in The School of Biological Sciences.
Outside loans require a deposit and a modest fee.
There is also an extensive collection of colour transparencies available for loan including Isobel Bennett's marine invertebrates. A comprehensive dry collection of vertebrate skulls and skeletons can also be accessed. Printed notes on preservation techniques can be supplied. The collection is always being added to, especially material useful for teaching courses, and donations of interesting specimens are always welcome.