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EXTERNAL LIBRARIES IN LONDON

The access advice offered here applies to students in the Notre Dame London Undergraduate Program only. Students in other programmes should speak to their department heads.

NB - Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that the information on this page is kept up to date, if you do find a broken link or other error, , please contact Ms Tyrell.

Arts Information Registry
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1Z ODS
Email : library@royalacademy.org.uk
URL : http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/collectionsandlibrary/library-information-service,98,AR.html

Specialising in information about Royal Academy members past and present, and more generally on British art.

Free reference access, by appointment only. It is best to email several days in advance, as the library has few reader-spaces.

Barbican Library
Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
Telephone : 020 7638 0569
Email : barbicanlib@corpoflondon.gov.uk
URL : http://www.barbican.org.uk/visitor-information/barbican-library

Loan collections on finance, banking, natural resources, socialism, and London history. Specialists in fine and performing arts, including an archive of live music performances.

Access is free, but student borrowing membership requires a form certified by the University. Please see Ms. Tyrell for details.

British Empire and Commonwealth Museum.
Clock Tower Yard, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH
Telephone : 0117 9254 980 ext 230.
Email : collections2@empiremuseum.co.uk
URL : http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk

A world-class collection of primary and secondary sources on the Empire and Commonwealth. Currently closed for relocation.

British Film Institute
21 Stephen Street, W1T 1LN
Telephone : 020 7255 1444
Email : library@bfi.org.uk
URL : http://www.bfi.org.uk/nationallibrary/index.html

The most comprehensive source of information about the cinema. Over 20,000 books and pamphlets, as well as press cuttings and periodicals.

One day reference passes cost £6.00

The British Library
96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
Telephone : 020 7412 7676
Email : reader-services-enquiries@bl.uk
URL : http://www.bl.uk/

The British Library is the UK's national library; the British equivalent of the Library of Congress.

To arrange reference access you will need to show that you have done some preliminary research, that you know at last some of the materials you wish to consult, and that they are not available from the LUP or Senate House Library. For details on how to register see their website. When you visit, allow several hours for material to be delivered.

British Library Newspaper Library
Colindale Avenue, NW9 5HE
Telephone : 020 7412 7353
Email : newspaper@bl.uk
URL : http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/inrrooms/blnewspapers/newsrr.html

Very large collection of local and national newspapers and periodicals from about 1700 onwards.

Reference access is freely available to anyone needing to consult their collections. Check their ID requirements at their website before you visit. Allow several hours to familiarize yourself with their catalogues and for material to be delivered

British Library of Political and Economic Science

See London School of Economics

British Music Information Centre
10 Stratford Place, W1N 9AE
Telephone : 020 7499 8567
Email: info@bmic.co.uk
URL : http://www.bmic.co.uk/

Large collection of classical and contemporary British music, including scores, composer files, recordings, and videos.

Free reference access. Use of the listening or viewing equipment requires an appointment.

Camden St Pancras Public Library
Camden Town Hall Extension, Argyle Street, WC1H 8NN
Telephone : 020 7974 5833
Email : stpancraslibrary@camden.gov.uk
URL : http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure/libraries-and-online-learning-centres/st-pancras-library/

Large public library, with collections of Chinese and Bengali material.

Reference only access, as Camden is a different London Borough from the one in which you are living.

Catholic Central Library
Lancing Street, NW1 1ND
Telephone : 020 7383 4333
Email : librarian@catholic-library.org.uk
URL : http://www.catholic-library.org.uk/

Theology, scripture, church history, religious life, philosophy, etc.

Reference access is offered in exchange for a donation towards their work, and will require photo ID.

Central Music Library
Victoria Public Library, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9UD
Telephone : 020 7641 4292
Email : musiclibrary@westminster.gov.uk
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/special/music/

Special collection in music, books, periodicals, and scores, but no sound recordings. Part of Westminster Public Libraries .

Borrowing access freely available. To register with Westminster Libraries, simply show your ND ID card at the information desk at the Charing Cross branch.

Charing Cross Library
Charing Cross Library, 4 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HF
Telephone : 020 7641 1300
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/findalibrary/charing.cfm

Part of Westminster Public Libraries, offering general fiction and non fiction, as well as music, film, and Chinese language collections.

Borrowing access freely available. To register with Westminster Libraries, simply show your ND ID card at the information desk.

Chatham House Library (also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs Library)
10 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LE
Telephone : 020 7957 5723
Email: libenquire@chathamhouse.org.uk
URL : http://www.riia.org/index.php?id=8

The Chatham House Library was formed in 1921 and now houses one of the most established collections of international affairs material in the UK. The collections focus especially on politics, economics, security and the environment, covering approximately 30 years for books and 15 years for periodicals.

Reference access available for a fee. Day membership can be obtained for £10, and discounts may be possible for students wishing to make regular use of the collections. Student membership, which would allow borrowing from the library, costs £95. It is advisable to make contact before your first visit, to be sure that your research needs and their collections mesh.

City Business Library
1 Brewers Hall Garden, EC2V 5BX
Telephone : 020 7638 8215
Email : Enquiry form.
URL : http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/
Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/cbl.htm

A library for the business community, their collections cover the practical, rather than the theoretical and academic, side of business and the economy.

A public reference library.

Courtauld Institute Library
Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R ORN
Telephone : 020 7848 2701
Email : booklib@courtauld.ac.uk
URL : http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/booklibrary/index.html

Library of the Institute of Higher Research in Art History.

Students with a genuine need can obtain free reference access, but will need to demonstrate that they cannot get the material they need elsewhere. Please contact Ms. Tyrell for assistance.

Dr Williams's Library
14 Gordon Square, WC1H 0AR
Telephone : 020 7387 3727
Email : membership@DWLib.co.uk
URL : http://www.dwlib.co.uk/dwlib/

Theology, philosophy, ecclesiastical history, particularly early non-conformist history.

Free reference available. You will need your passport as proof of ID, and to contact the library before you visit.

The Fawcett Library

Now part of The Women's Library

The Feminist Library
5 Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7XW
Email : admin@feministlibrary.co.uk
URL : http://feministlibrary.co.uk/

Volunteer-run archive collection of the Women’s Liberation Movement, particularly second-wave materials from late 1960s to 1970s, by and about women.

Reference access freely available, although hours are limited.

Very strong undergraduate collection.

As a non-Goldsmiths student, you will normally be allowed reference access, but not at certain points in their term - please check here for details. You will need to know what specific items you want to see.

Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury, EC2P 2EJ
Telephone : 020 7332 1868
Email : printedbooks.guildhall@corpoflondon.gov.uk
URL : http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/
Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/guildhall_lib.htm

Prime source for the history and topography of London, English genealogy, the Suffragette movement, and local and national history. It holds publications from local and national historical societies, complete sets of the House of Commons and House of Lords Debates and journals, and House of Commons papers dating back to 1800.

Open access for reference use, although access to rare material may require ID.

Heythrop Library
Kensington Square, W8 5HQ
Telephone: 020 7795 4250
URL : http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/index.php/content/view/26/51/

Excellent collections in theology, philosophy, and the social sciences.

The London Undergraduate Program subsidises reference access, which can be obtained free of charge with a letter of introduction from Ms. Tyrell.

Holborn Library
32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Telephone : 020 7974 6345/6
Email : holbornlibrary@camden.gov.uk
URL : http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure/libraries-and-online-learning-centres/holborn-library/

Public library, specialising in business, law, and Holborn’s local history.

Reference access freely available, although. you cannot register for membership, as you neither live nor work in the London Borough of Camden.

Imperial War Museum (Dept of Printed Books)
Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Telephone : 020 7416 5342
Email : books@iwm.org.uk
URL : http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/books.htm

The Museum's unique national reference library on twentieth-century conflict involving Britain and Commonwealth countries is administered by the Department of Printed Books. Besides standard works on conflict, the Department offers an international range of unit histories, technical manuals and handbooks, biographies, and autobiographies, as well as publications on the economic, social, and cultural aspects of war.

Reference access only. Make an appointment at least a day in advance.

Institute of Classical Studies
North Block 279, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU
Telephone : 020 7862 8710
Email : colin.annis@sas.ac.uk
URL : http://icls.sas.ac.uk/library/Home.htm

The Library of the Hellenic and Roman Societies. Contains over 80,000 books and nearly 500 different periodical titles. Subjects include Greek and Roman archaeology, art, language, history, and some Christian texts.

Membership of either society gives membership of the library, and non-member visitors may be admitted for a maximum of two days at the Librarian's discretion.

Institute of Education
20 Bedford Way, WC1H OAL
Telephone: 020 7612 6000
Email : info@ioe.ac.uk
URL : http://ioewebserver.ioe.ac.uk/ioe/cms/get.asp?cid=10713

Covers all aspects of education, including special needs and teacher training, world wide, but with special focus on the UK.

Students can obtain reference access for £6 for 1 day, £15 for 1 week, and £30 for 1 month. Your first visit to the Institute's library should be during their Full Service hours.

International Institute for Strategic Studies
The IISS, Arundel House, 13 –15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2R 3DX
Telephone : 020 7395 9122
Email : library@iiss.org
URL : http://www.iiss.org/showpage.php?pageID=49

The IISS Library has a comprehensive collection of books, journals, pamphlets and online resources covering a broad range of international relations, security and defence topics. The collection is forward-looking outlook and contains little historical material.

Students can gain reference access for the discounted fee of £5 for one day, or £20 for a week.

Lambeth Palace Library
Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7JU
Telephone : 020 7898 1400
URL : http://www.lambethpalacelibrary.org/

Archives of ecclesiastical history from medieval times.

Reference access only. You will need to take proof of permanent address, such as your passport or driver's licence, as well as two passport-sized photographs.

The London Library
14 St James Square, SW1Y 4LG
URL : http://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/

A private subscription library with a strong humanities bias. Their online catalogue covers only part of their holdings.

We have an interlibrary loan arrangement with The London Library and all enquiries should be directed to Ms. Tyrell.

London Metropolitan Archives
40 Northampton Road , London EC1R OHB.
Telephone : 020 7332 3820
Email : ask.lma@corpoflondon.gov.uk
URL : http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/
Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/

London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is the largest local authority record office in the United Kingdom. The records cover a period of nearly 900 years, and cover family, criminal, social, economic and political history.

There is a massive body of original sources here, and they have produced guidance on using their collections to research subjects including The Great Dock Strike 1889 , History of Education, Evacuation of Children from London During World War II, Gardening and Horticulture, History of Nursing, Nonconformists in London and Theatres and Music Halls.

London School of Economics & Political Science
(British Library of Political and Economic Science)
10 Portugal Street, WC2A 2HD
Telephone : 020 7955 7229
Email : Enquiry form
URL : http://www.lse.ac.uk/library/

The world's largest library devoted exclusively to the social sciences. You can apply for a study pass, which entitles you to reference access to the library, if you can demonstrate a research need. The application form can be found here.

London School of Jewish Studies
44A Albert Road, NW4 2SJ
Telephone : 020 8203 6427
Email : enquiries@lsjs.ac.uk
URL : http://www.lsjs.ac.uk/content.asp?submID=8

Large Hebraica and Judaica collection.

Open to the public for reference access. LSJS membership allows you to borrow books, and costs £60.

Marx Memorial Library
37A Clerkenwell Green, EC1R ODU
Telephone : 020 7253 1485
Email : marx.library@britishlibrary.net
URL : http://www.marx-memorial-library.org/

Covers all aspects of the science of Marxism, history of socialism, and the working class movement, including the whole range of radical socialist, communist and international trade union movements and co-operatives, life and conditions in the socialist countries, especially the former USSR. Has a special collection on the Spanish Civil War, the peace movement, and the US labour movement.

Marylebone Library
109-117 Marylebone Road, NW1 5PS
Telephone : 020 7641 1037
Email : marylebonelibrary@westminster.gov.uk
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/marylebone/

A large public library open seven days a week and offering a wide selection of books, videos, and music. The same building houses the Marylebone Information Service, a comprehensive reference collection, on the first floor. Part of Westminster Public Libraries.

Borrowing access freely available. To register with Westminster Libraries, simply show your ND ID card at the information desk at the Charing Cross branch.

Mayfair Library
25 South Audley Street,W1Y 5DJ
Telephone : 020 7641 4903
Email : mayfairlibrary@westminster.gov.uk
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/mayfair/

Strong collections of French, German, Spanish, and Italian materials. Part of Westminster Public Libraries.

Borrowing access freely available. To register with Westminster Libraries, simply show your ND ID card at the information desk at the Charing Cross branch.

National Art Library
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
Telephone : 020 7942 2400
Email : nal.enquiries@vam.ac.uk
URL : http://www.vam.ac.uk/nal/

The National Art Library (NAL) is the national collection of documentation on art, craft, and design. It has the most comprehensive research collections in the UK of published and manuscript material relating to this field.

The library is accessible to the public as a reference library. You will need proof of ID.

National Maritime Museum
Greenwich, SE10 9NF
Telephone : 020 8312 6528
Email : library@nmm.ac.uk
URL : http://www.nmm.ac.uk/researchers/library/

All aspects of maritime history and related subjects - a world-class collection including pamphlets and periodicals. The library also gives access to the museum's manuscript collection.

Rererence access freely offered. You will need proof of ID.

National Sound Archive
Humanities Reading Room
The British Library, 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB
Telephone: 020 7412 7676
Email : sound-archive@bl.uk
URL : http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/bldept/soundarch/about/soundarchive.html

Free public access to material held in the BBC Sound Archives, together with the NSA's own large collection of BBC radio programmes. Among the unique material are the NSA's own recordings of oral history, wildlife sounds, live theatre productions, and international music, and rare recordings of pop, jazz, and classical music.

To use the archive in person, you will need a British Library Reader's card - see British Library for details.

Polish Library
238-246 King Street, W6 ORF
Telephone : 020 8741 0474
E-mail : library@polishlibrary.co.uk
URL : http://www.posk.org/biblioteka.html

Books and periodicals on many subjects in Polish, and in all languages on Polish history and culture.

Free reference access.

Public Record Office
Drummond Gate, 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, SW1V 2QQ
Telephone : 020 7533 6262
Email : library@nationalarchives.gov.uk
URL : http://www.pro.gov.uk/catalogues/library.htm

Particularly good collections on the subjects of population, health, and social issues. Also provides access to the publications of the Government Statistical Service. The Public Record Office houses resources for family history, and their site is a good starting point for this.

Free reference access is available to anyone who can prove a need to consult the archives. See their website for advice on how to apply, and how to order material in advance to make your visit go smoothly.

Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1Z ODS
Email : library@royalacademy.org.uk
URL : http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/collectionsandlibrary/

Specialising in information about Royal Academy members past and present, and more generally on British art.

Free reference access, by appointment only. It is best to email several days in advance, as the library has few reader-spaces.

Royal Institute of British Architects
66 Portland Place, W1N 4AD
Telephone: 0906 302 0400 [50p per minute]
Email : info@inst.riba.org
URL : http://www.architecture.com/LibraryDrawingsAndPhotographs/RIBALibrary/RIBALibrary.aspx

In addition to architectural theory, practice, and history, there is material on allied subjects such as building and construction, civil engineering, structural engineering, landscape architecture, interior design and decoration, the decorative arts, town and country planning, and construction law.

Free reference access.

Royal Institute of International Affairs Library

See : Chatham House Library

Sir John Soane's Museum Library
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP
Telephone : 020 7440 4251.
Email : library@soane.org.uk
URL : http://www.soane.org/library.html

Art and architecture. 15th to 19th century architectural drawings, including all those from the office of Robert and James Adam, and from Soane's own office. Original drawings are on microfiche, and only modern books are on open access.

Reference access only. You will need to make an appointment in advance.

St Bride Printing Library
Bride Lane, Fleet Street, EC4Y 8EE
Telephone: 020 7353 4660
Email : stbride@corpoflondon.gov.uk
URL : http://www.stbride.org/

Excellent collection for all aspects of printing, publishing, graphic design, and related topics.

Free reference access freely available.

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H OXG
Telephone : 020 7898 4163
Email : libenquiry@soas.ac.uk
URL : http://www.soas.ac.uk/library/index.html

Literature in humanities and social sciences related to Africa, the Near and Middle East, and all parts of Asia.

Occasional reference access can be obtained free of charge - you may visit the library a maximum of three times on a 'day ticket' with your passport or driver's licence as ID. Regular reference access for students costs £60 for six months and requires student ID and a letter from the University confirming your status.

School of Slavonic and East European Studies (UCL)
16 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW
Telephone: 020 7679 8702
URL : http://www.ssees.ucl.ac.uk/library/

History, languages, literature, social sciences, and culture of Russia, the former USSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania.

Students can obtain reference access for £7 for one day, £20 for one week, £30 for one month or £80 for one year. Borrowing is available on an annual basis and costs £100.

Science Museum Library
Imperial College & Science Museum Libraries, South Kensington, London SW7
Telephone : 020 7942 4242
Email : smlinfo@nmsi.ac.uk
URL : http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/library/

Major collections of original scientific and technical literature, and of literature on the history of science and technology.

Access is reference only. If you only need to visit once, simply show ID to obtain a day ticket.

Senate House Library, University of London
Senate House, Malet Street, WC1
Telephone : 020 7862 8500
Email: enquiries@ull.ac.uk
URL : http://www.ull.ac.uk

Central library for all the colleges of the University of London, and the collection best suited to the needs of ND undergraduates.

The London Undergraduate Program subsidises your membership of Senate House, so borrowing membership is available, without charge to you. To obtain membership, simply show your ND ID card at Senate House Library.

Victoria and Albert Museum

See : National Art Library

Victoria Library
160 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 9UD
Telephone : 020 7641 4287
Email : victorialibrary@westminster.gov.uk
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/victoria/

Part of Westminster Public Libraries. Also home to the Central Music Library.

Borrowing access freely available. To register with Westminster Libraries, simply show your ND ID card at the information desk at the Charing Cross branch.

Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine
183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
Telephone : 020 7611 8582
Email : library@wellcome.ac.uk
URL : http://library.wellcome.ac.uk/

World-class collection on the history of medicine, interpreted in the widest possible sense, including medical traditions around the world, the interaction of medicine and the arts, as well as science policy, research funding, public understanding of science, science education, and research ethics.

Reference access is free. See their website for more details.

Westminster Reference Library
35 St. Martin's Street, WC2H 7HP
Telephone :
General Reference & Performing Arts: 020 7641 4636
Business, Official Publications & EU: 020 7641 4634
Email : referencelibrarywc2@westminster.gov.uk
URL : http://www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/westref/

Leading public reference library in London's West End, less than 100 yards from the London Centre. Holding specialist collections for Business, UK Official Publications, European Union, and the Arts (covering both Art & Design and Performing Arts). There is a general reference collection of books, periodicals, and electronic sources, including free access to the Internet. Part of Westminster Public Libraries.

Reference access freely available, with no membership required.

The Women's Library
Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT
Telephone 020 7320 2222
Email : enquirydesk@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
URL : http://www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk/

Foremost women’s studies library, with extensive collections of historical and contemporary material.

Reference access freely available. You will need to complete this form and take proof of ID.