A GUIDE TO HISTORY LIBRARIES AND
COLLECTIONS IN LONDON

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LIBRARY


NAME AND ADDRESS

The Library, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St. James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LE

EMAIL

libenquire@chathamhouse.org.uk

WEBSITE

http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk

TELEPHONE

(020) 7957 5723

FAX

(020) 7957 5710

LOCATION

As above.


HOURS OF OPENING

Please check the web site for up to date information.

Monday - Friday 1100 - 1730


Annual closure: August


ACCESS

Primarily to staff and Institute members, and graduate students of University Institutions which pay a special subscription.  Individual readers' tickets may be available to bona-fide postgraduate and other researchers for a fee; please contact the Enquiry Desk in advance to make an appointment.

Wheelchair access is possible, with advance notice.

For full details of admission check here

READER PLACES

16 desks in Library.

LIBRARIANS IN CHARGE

Mrs M Bone (Senior Librarian)

STAFF AVAILABILITY

One member of staff on duty in the library 1100 - 1730 Monday to Friday.

CATALOGUES

Author and classified card catalogues to 1990; computer catalogue 1991 onwards.  Classified index to periodical articles in the library (print or microfiche 1950-89; computer catalogue from 1990).

Online catalogue accessed via the Library’s web pages:  http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/library

Press Cuttings: Annual subject headings lists to the collections at the RIIA, and to those now at the British Library Newspaper Library.

Search the library catalogue

CLASSIFICATION

Library's own: one to 1989; a new one 1990 onwards.

Press Cuttings: own flexible alphabetico-classed subject headings list to 1989.  1990 onwards: books, articles from periodicals and press cuttings all classified by Institute's new classification and Thesaurus.

STOCK

140,000 volumes.  400 periodicals, bulletins and newspapers currently received.  Over 5 million cuttings.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS OR STRENGTHS

All aspects of international relations.  Focus changing to most recent 30 - 35 years, but some primary source material back to 1918 will continue to be held.  Only most recent 15 years of current periodicals held.

Press Cuttings: Large classified collection of cuttings from international press on all aspects of international relations between all states and on domestic affairs of all countries-including economics, finance, military and security questions, environment and politics: 1924 - August 1939 on microfilm; 1972 - July 1997 (ceased) in box files.  A further 6 million cuttings for September 1939 - December 1971 and three other special collections now in use at British Library Newspaper Library at Colindale.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES

Photocopying facilities.

Internet access.

Film and fiche readers; Film/fiche reader printer.

Material may be held over from day to day.

Personal computers may be used in Reading Room.



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