Specialist Libraries

London is home to hundreds of specialist libraries, many of which hold collections of national importance.  They may be housed  in charities and the voluntary sector, part of learned societies or independent collections open solely to members. 

The list at the bottom of this page is just a small sample of specialist libraries in London with public access.

How can I use a specialist library?

Some collections are not open to members of the public, but there are many who are willing to allow users access to their collections if they cannot find the information they need elsewhere. 

If the subject you are interested in happens to boast a London library, you may be about to discover an Aladdin's Cave on your doorstep!  To browse these collections by subject click on the "Browse collections" link at the left hand side of this page and find out more.

Some specialist libraries have also joined the Inspire London scheme and you can gain access for a single reference only visit if you are a member of your public library.

 

TypeNameAddressContact details
Specialist Anthropology Library The British Museum, Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG
020 7323 8031
website
Specialist Anti-Slavery International Library Thomas Clarkson House
London
SW9 9TL
0207 501 8939
website
Specialist Bishopsgate Library 230 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4QH
0207 392 9270
website
Specialist Book Trust @ Roehampton Institute Mount Clare
Roehampton
SW15 5PU
020 8392 3772
website
Specialist Botany Library Natural History Museum, Library and Information Services
London
SW7 5BD
020 7942 5685
website
Specialist British Library 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
+44 (0)870 444 1500
website
Specialist British Library, Music Collections 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
020 7412 7772
website
Specialist British Library, Oriental and India Office Collections 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
020 7412 7873
website
Specialist British Library, Patents Trademarks and Designs 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
020 7412 7919
website
Specialist British Library, Sound Archive 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
020 7412 7676
website
Specialist CILT Resources Library 20 Bedfordbury
London
WC2N 4LB
020 7379 5101
website
Specialist Earth Sciences Library Natural History Museum, Library and Information Services, Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
020 7942 5476
website
Specialist Entomology Library Natural History Museum,Library and Information Services (Wandsworth)
London
SW18 4NX
020 7942 5751
website
Specialist French Institute 17 Queensbury Place
London
SW7 2DT
Tel: 020 7073 1350
website
Specialist General/Zoology Library Natural History Museum, Library and Information Services
London
SW7 5BD
020 7942 5460
website
Specialist German Historical Institute Library London 17 Bloomsbury Square
London
WC1A 2NJ
020 7309 2019 / 020 7309 2022
website
Specialist Goethe-Institut 50 Princes Gate
London
SW7 2PH
020 7596 4000
website
Specialist Halley Stewart Library, St. Christopher's Hospice 51-59 Lawrie Park Road
London
SE26 6DZ
020 8768 4660
website
Specialist Huguenot Society Library Postal address only
London
WC1E 6BT
020 7679 5199
website
Specialist Imperial War Museum All Saints Annexe All Saints Annexe, Austral Street
London
SE11 4SJ
020 7416 5294 (film) 020 7416 5333 (photographs) 0
website
Specialist Imperial War Museum Department of Printed Books Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ
020 7416 5342
website
Specialist Institute of Contemporary History and Wiener Library 4 Devonshire Street
London
W1W 5BH
020 7636 7247
website
Specialist Lambeth Palace Library Lambeth Palace Library
London
SE1 7JU
+ 44 (0)20 7898 1400
website
Specialist Lloyd's Register 71 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 4BS
020 7423 2531
website
Specialist London Library 14 St James's Square
London
SW1Y 4LG
020 7930 7705
website
Specialist London Mennonite Centre Library 14 Shepherds Hill, Highgate
London
N6 5AQ
0845 4500 214
website
Specialist National Art Library Victoria and Albert Museum,
South Kensington
London
SW7 2RL
020 7942 2400
website
Specialist National Operatic and Dramatic Association NODA House
London
WC1H 8AU
0870 770 2480
website
Specialist Paul Hamlyn Library The British Museum, Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG
020 7323 8907
website
Specialist Poetry Library Royal Festival Hall, Level 5
London
SE1 8XX
020 7921 0943
website
Specialist Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Library and Archives Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AE
020 8332 5414
website
Specialist Royal College of Midwives Library 15 Mansfield Street
London
W1G 9NH
020 7291 9220
website
Specialist Royal College of Nursing Library 20 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0RN
020 7647 3610
website
Specialist Royal Horticultural Society Library 80 Vincent Square
London
SW1P 2PE
020 7821 3050
website
Specialist Royal Institute of British Architects 66 Portland Place
London
W1B 1AD
+44 (0)20 7580 5533
website
Specialist Royal National Institute of the Blind Research Library 105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
020 7391 2052
website
Specialist Royal Society of Chemistry, Library and Information Centre The Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House
Piccadilly
London
W1J 0BA
020 7437 8656 switchboard; 020 7440 3371 informati
website
Specialist Royal United Services Institute Library Whitehall
London
SW1A 2ET
020 7930 5854
website
Specialist Society of Genealogists 14 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road
London
EC1M 7BA
020 7251 8799
website
Specialist Trinity College of Music, Jerwood Library of the Performing Arts King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College
London
SE10 9JF
020 8305 3943
website
Specialist University of London, Senate House Library, Music Department Senate House
London
WC1E 7HU
020 7862 8441
website
Specialist University of London, Senate House Library, Palaeography and Manuscript Studies Senate House
London
WC1E 7HU
020 7862 5598
website
Specialist Wellcome Library 183 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BE
0207 611 8722
website