This guide has been produced by the University of London and gives information on history collections in the London area, both within and outside the University.
Individual entries under each library include the name, address and telephone number of the library, hours of opening, access, staff and catalogue information and details of the history collections, including any special strengths.
Read the full introduction to the guide, or read the foreword.
Go straight to the Index of History Libraries and Collections in London, a list of libraries in this guide.
Please report any difficulties with using this Guide or amendments to Ross Woollard at Senate House Library.
The collected holdings of the libraries of the University of London form one of the major library resources of the world. However, the federal structure of the University has meant that this vast resource has not always been exploited as fully as it might be, as the holdings of individual libraries have not always been accessible to or even known to others.
This guide, which has been gradually enlarged over the years, and now includes as many libraries outside as within the University of London, has been written mainly by the members of the Committee of London Research Libraries in History. It has been written at a time when many changes are taking place, so that some information in this guide may be out of date by the end of the session. The libraries at the centre of the University – the Senate House Library (previously the University of London Library) and the libraries of the Institutes of the School of Advanced Study – have been brought together to form the University of London Research Library Services, with some physical moves planned in the near future, but the information about the holdings of the various collections will remain valid. It is hoped that the guide will continue to be revised and re-issued frequently enough to maintain its usefulness.
September 2008
At a time when resource sharing schemes are being put into operation, and financial pressures increase on academic libraries, students and researchers need to be aware of the collections which exist in libraries other than their own, and how they may obtain access to these. This guide is intended to provide outline information on the holdings in history in libraries throughout the University together with many of the other important libraries in London.
Students of history should first join their own College, School or Institute Library, and then join the Senate House Library, which is open to students in the University on the production of appropriate identification or validation. Many new history students receive an introductory tour of the Senate House Library, concentrated on the History Collection, and join the Senate House Library at the same time.
For those who have a genuine need to use the collections of other libraries in the University and who are not members of those libraries, access is normally possible for reference purposes; identification is required. Charges may be levied for some services in some libraries, particularly services to those who are not members of the University. University of London permanent academic and academic-related staff and research postgraduates may borrow from other libraries in the University, where borrowing is normally permitted, and under such conditions as may be required by the host library. Again, identification is required.
These procedures are under regular review; for details of access arrangements for individual libraries see under ACCESS in the entries for each library.
Individual entries under each library give details of their catalogues and classification schemes. Access to all on-line catalogues of all the libraries in the University of London should be available from all internet-connected libraries and academic institutions.
The Union List of Serials lists periodicals held by the libraries in the University, which library has which titles and the dates of runs held.
Senate House Library Homepage
Last amended January 2008