A guide to some libraries in London

This is a guide to some other libraries in London which may be useful to you, especially if you are:

• Undertaking genealogical research
• Unsure of the material you need and wish to browse the collection at the shelf
• Researching a very specific subject or a geographical area not adequately covered by our collections
• Looking for a study space

You are advised to contact any of these libraries before visiting, to check:

• Opening hours
• If you need to book an appointment or become a member

Please note that some libraries may charge a fee for access.

All libraries on this list offer accessibility to disabled visitors (unless indicated otherwise), but you are advised to contact them before visiting, to ensure they can offer you appropriate services or facilities.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information below.

Public libraries

Barbican Library
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London EC2Y 8DS
T +44 (0)20 7638 0569 (enquiries)
T +44 (0)20 7638 0672 (music)

British Museum
Paul Hamlyn Library
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
T +44 (0)20 7323 8838
This public reference library has been temporarily relocated from the Museum's Reading Room to another room within the Museum’s building.

Camden Town Library
Crowndale Centre
218 Eversholt Street
London NW1 1BD
T +44 (0)20 7974 1563

City Business Library
1 Brewers’ Hall Garden
London EC2V 5BX
T +44 (0)20 7332 1812

Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury
London EC2V 7HH
T +44 (0)20 7332 1862/1863 (manuscripts)
T +44 (0)20 7332 1839 (prints and maps)

Hammersmith Library
Shepherds Bush Road
London W6 7AT
T +44 (0)20 8753 3823

Holborn Library
32-38 Theobalds Road
London WC1X 8PA
T +44 (0)20 7974 6345

Islington Central Library
2 Fieldway Crescent
London N5 1PF
T +44 (0)20 7527 6900

Kensington and Chelsea Central Library
Phillimore Walk
LONDON W8 7RX
T +44 (0)20 7361 3010

King’s Fund Library
11-13 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0AN
T +44 (0)20 7307 2400

Marylebone Library
109-117 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5PS
T +44 (0)20 7641 1300
(There are steps outside the building, and a wheelchair lift in the building. Ring the bell at the foot of the steps of the Westminster Council House in Marylebone Road to call for assistance)

St James’s Library
62 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QP
T +44 (0)20 7641 1300

St Pancras Library
Camden Town Hall Extension
Argyle Street
London WC1H 8NN
T +44 (0)20 974 5833

Swiss Cottage Library
88 Avenue Road
London NW3 5BA
T +44 (0)20 7974 6522

Tavistock & Portman NHS Library
120 Belsize Lane
London NW3 5BA
T +44 (0)20 8938 2520

Victoria Library
160 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9UD
T +44 (0)20 7641 1300
(Disabled access is available at entrance, but the first floor is only accessible by steps)

Westminster Central Music Library
First Floor
160 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9UD
T +44 (0)20 7641 1300
(No wheelchair access)

Westminster City Archives
10 St Ann’s Street
London SW1P 2DE
T +44 (0)20 7641 5180

Westminster Reference Library
35 St Martin’s Street
London WC2H 7HP
T +44 (0)20 7641 1300
(There are 2 steps at the entrance, then 6 steps immediately inside the building to the ground floor. The library is on 3 floors with stairs to all levels but no lift)

Special libraries

British Film Institute
21 Stephen Street
London W1T 1LN
T +44 (0)20 7255 1444

BT Archives
3rd Floor
Holborn Telephone Exchange
268-270 High Holborn
London WC1V 7EE
T +44 (0)20 7440 4220
(Please note: wheelchair users may need assistance at the building’s entrance – the interior has been adapted for disabled users)

Hyde Park Family History Centre
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
64-68 Exhibition Road
London SW7 2PA
T +44 (0)20 7589 8561

Imperial War Museum Library
Lambeth Road
London SE1 6HZ
T +44 (0)20 7416 5432

London Metropolitan Archives
40 Northampton Road
London EC1R 0HB
T +44 (0)20 7332 3820

National Army Museum Library
Royal Hospital Road
London SW3 4HT
T +44 (0)20 7730 0717

National Art Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
T +44 (0)20 7942 2000

National Maritime Museum Library
Caird Library
Park Row
Greenwich
London SE10 9NF
T +44 (0)20 8312 6516

Natural History Museum Library
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD
T +44 (0)20 7942 5000

National Archives
Kew
Surrey TW9 4DU
T +44 (0)20 8876 3444

The Family Records Centre is now amalgamated with the National Archives.

Science Museum Library
Imperial College Road
London SW7 5NH
T +44 (0)20 7942 4242

Society of Genealogists Library
Charterhouse Buildings
Goswell Road
London EC1M 7BA
T +44 (0)20 7251 8799

St Bride Printing Library
Bride Lane
Fleet Street
London EC4Y 8EE
T +44 (0)20 7353 4660

Victoria and Albert Theatre Collection
Blythe House
23 Blythe Road
London W14 0QX
T +44 (0)20 7942 2698
(Please note: wheelchair users may need assistance at the building’s entrance)

Wellcome Library
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE
T +44 (0)20 7611 8722

The Women’s Library
London Metropolitan University
25 Old Castle Street
London E1 7NT
T +44 (0)20 7320 2222

University of London libraries

Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
Charles Clore House
17 Russell Square
London WC1B 5DR
T +44 (0)20 7862 5790

Institute of Archaeology
31-34 Gordon Square
London WC1H 0PY
T +44 (0)20 7679 7495

Institute of Classical Studies
Senate House North (2nd Floor)
London WC1E 7HU
T +44 (0)20 7862 8709

Institute of Education
20 Bedford Way
London WC1H 0AL
T +44 (0)20 7612 6080

London School of Economics
10 Portugal Street
London WC2A 2HD
T +44 (0)20 7955 7229

School of Oriental & African Studies
Thornhaugh Street
London WC1H 0XG
T +44 (0)20 7898 4163

School of Slavonic & East European Studies
16 Taviton Street
London WC1H 0BW
T +44 (0)20 7679 8702

University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
T +44 (0)20 7679 7700

Warburg Institute
Woburn Square
London WC1H 0AB
T +44 (0)20 7862 8949

Senate House Library is the University of London’s central library; the Library has extensive holdings (c. 2 million titles, electronic resources and special collections) on all aspects of the arts, humanities and social sciences, with open access floors of bookstacks, study space and expert help.

Access to Senate House Library is not restricted to members of the University of London. Visitors from other universities – both in the UK and overseas – as well as private researchers and members of the public are all welcome to use the Library and its collections. You will need to join Senate House Library; please contact their membership team at shl.membership@london.ac.uk, T +44 (0)20 7862 8439.

Other university of libraries

City University
University Library
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
T +44 (0)20 7040 8191

London Business School Library
Sussex Place
Regent’s Park
London NW1 4SA
T +44 (0)20 7000 7620

London Metropolitan University
Holloway Road Library
236-250 Holloway Road
London N7 6PP
T +44 (0)20 7133 2100
There are six additional libraries linked to this university

London South Bank University
Perry Library
250 Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 6NJ
T +44 (0)20 7815 6604
There are two additional libraries linked to this university

University of East London
Stratford Campus Library
Romford Road
London E15 4LZ
T +44 (0)20 8223 4224T
There are two additional libraries linked to this university

University of Greenwich
Avery Hill Library
Bexley Road
London SE9 2PQ
T +44 (0)20 8331 8484
There are two additional libraries linked to this university

University of Westminster
Marylebone Campus Library
35 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5LS
T +44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext.3212/3171
There are three additional libraries linked to this university