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London Libraries: A tour

What follows is just a few of the interesting libraries in London. These particular libraries

have been chosen because, at the time of writing they are open to the public. Please do

check their websites or contact the library before visiting to check if you need to bring

identification or whether the opening hours or access arrangements may have changed

since this guide was prepared.

The libraries are listed in alphabetical order by title – there is a subject index at the end.

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Barbican Library

The Barbican library has specialist collections in art, music and finance. Anyone who lives, works or studies in the City of London can gain membership – others can visit and use the resources for reference.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/visitor-information/barbican-library

British Library The National Library of the UK, The British Library’s gives access to a reading room and vast collection (find out how to register at bl.ac.uk) Its London site near St Pancras station hosts regular exhibitions of interesting manuscripts and artefacts from its collection The British Library’s business portal can be seen at https://mbsportal.bl.uk/ Selected fashion industry resources are listed here http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelpsubject/desfash/fashion/

Birkbeck University Visitors may use the library at Birkbeck for a daily charge. http://bbk.ac.uk/

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Bishopsgate Institute As well as a reading room with books, magazines and periodicals, there are displays and exhibitions featuring materials from the Institute’s special collections on the Cooperative and labour movements and local history. http://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/ Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street

St Bride Foundation Library The collection covers all aspects of typography and printing. The library usually has limited opening hours but does hold special events for print enthusiasts. http://www.sbf.org.uk/library

City Business Library This is a public library which specialises in business information – giving access to books and periodicals as well as a range of online resources (which can be used free of charge on site). Details of their resources for the fashion industry can be seen at: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/business/economic-research-and-information/city-business-library/business-information-resources/Pages/fashion-industry.aspx

City Business Library website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/business/economic-research-and-information/city-business-library/Pages/default.aspx

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Dr William’s Library Home to the Royal Institute of Philosopy and Dr William’s Theological collection http://royalinstitutephilosophy.org/ http://dwlib.co.uk/using-the-library/

Feminist Library Factual books and material from 1900 – present. Fiction and poetry in English and other languages http://feministlibrary.co.uk/

Goethe Institut Resources for learning German and learning about Germany and its culture. https://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/en/sta/lon/bib/uan.html

Institut Français Learn French and access French literature and culture. http://www.institut-francais.org.uk/la-mediatheque/

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Lindley Library –

Gardening and botany https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/libraries-at-rhs/visit-the-libraries/lindley-library-london

Marx Memorial Library Archive relating to socialism. http://marx-memorial-library.org/ Nearest Tube: Farringdon

Marc Weinberg Community Library Extensive collection of books and materials relating to Judaism. http://www.lsjs.ac.uk/library/

The Muslim College Extensive collection of books and materials on the Islamic Sciences. http://muslimcollege.ac.uk/?page_id=1929

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The National Art Library Extensive collection of books and materials on craft and fine/decorative arts. http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/about-the-national-art-library/

Poetry Library Contemporary poetry (from 1912). The library aims to stock all poetry published in England from that date and a selection of poetry published elsewhere and holds many parallel texts – the poetry in its original language with an English translation http://poetrylibrary.org.uk/

RIBA Library The UK’s leading architecture library – a wide range of books, journals and photographs. https://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Visitus/Library

Nearest Tube: Regent’s Park

Royal Pharmaceutical Society Library www.rpharms.com/support/our-library.asp

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The Royal Society Library The Royal Society is the UK’s independent science academy. The library has a collection of historical books and items relating to the science and engineering. Please check the website before visiting to check which documents to bring as proof of ID https://royalsociety.org/collections/visitors/

Queen Sofia Library Learn Spanish and access literature and culture from the Spanish-speaking world. http://londres.cervantes.es/en/library_spanish/library_spanish.htm

Society of Friends The Library of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) http://quaker.org.uk/resources/library

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Swedenborg Society A library collection relating to Emmanual Swedenborg and related topics. http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/library

Tate Library Art and art history. http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain/library-archive-reading-rooms

University of the Arts London – London School of Fashion The daily number of visitors allowed is limited so please do plan ahead if you wish to visit London School of Fashion library which contains over 70,000 books on fashion as well as periodicals and other resources http://www.arts.ac.uk/fashion/about/facilities/lcf-library/

Weiner Library The library holds an extensive collection relating to the Holocaust and the Nazi era http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/

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Wellcome Trust An extensive collection on the history of medicine. http://wellcomelibrary.org/using-the-library/joining-the-library/

Westminster Chinese Library An extensive collection aimed at Chinese speakers https://www.westminster.gov.uk/library-opening-hours-and-contact-details#westminster-chinese-library

Westminster Reference Library

Westminster Reference library is a specialist public library with a business information point which gives access to access to company information, market reports, major daily papers, and trade and

financial journals. If you wish to borrow books you need to become a member and to do so you need to provide a proof of address, or you can also join as a short stay member. The specialist collections at the Westminster Reference library include:

art and design

law

performing arts

UK official publications

Sherlock Holmes

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/library-opening-hours-and-contact-details

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William Morris Society Library

Books, pamphlets and materials about William Morris and also about textiles, design, politics and philosophy. http://williammorrissociety.org/our-museum/library/

Zoroastrian Trust Fund Library Housed in a former art deco cinema, the library has over 1000 books and journals on all aspects of Zoroastrianism. Open Mon - Fri Visits by appointment only http://www.ztfe.com Nearest tube: Rayner’s Lane

Subject Index

Architecture

RIBA

Arts & Literature

National Arts Library

The Poetry Library

The Swedenborg Society Library

Tate Library

University of the Arts – London College of Fashion

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Business

Barbican Library

Birkbeck College

City Business Library

Westminster Reference Library

Chinese

Westminster Chinese Library service

Design & Fashion

City Business Library (fashion business)

University of the Arts, London - London School of Fashion

National Art Library

Feminism

The Feminist Library

French

Institut Français

Gardening/Horticulture

The Lindley Library

German

Goethe Institut Library

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Languages

Goethe Institute Library

Institut Français

Queen Sofia Library (Spanish)

Westminster Chinese Library service

Medicine (history)

Wellcome Trust Library

Music

Barbican Library

Pharmacy

The Royal Pharmaceutical Library

Philosophy

Birkbeck College

Dr William’s Library

The Swedenborg Society Library

Poetry

The Poetry Library

Politics

Bishopsgate Institute

Feminist Library

Marx Memorial Library

The Weiner Library

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Printing & Typography

St Bride’s Institute

Religion

Dr William’s Library

Marc Weinberg Community Library

The Muslim College Library

The Society of Friends Library

The Zoroastrian Trust Fund Europe Library

Science /History of Science

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Royal Society Library

Swedenborg Society Library

Wellcome Trust Library

Spanish

Queen Sofia Library