Using the Library and Archives

William Smith’s geological map of Great Britain

Part of William Smith's geological map of Great Britain, published in 1815

The Library and Archives team provides staff, visiting researchers and members of the public with easy access to the Museum's unique natural history information resources.

Below you will find information for staff and public visitors on:

  • requesting and accessing Library and Archives material
  • joining the Library
  • booking a Reading Room visit
  • ordering items for digitisation/delivery
  • adhering to our terms of use

Have a query?

    

South Kensington Reading Room

Open to external researcher appointments Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 to 16:00

Visitors

How to arrange an appointment

1. Identify the items that you would like to view during your visit.

  • Search using our collections Discovery layer and Museum Archives catalogue.
  • We have created some helpful guides regarding how to search our collections and how to request items for an appointment.Please refer to the links on the right.
  • There is a maximum of 10 collection items per appointment, excluding e-resources, e.g. 10 volumes, 10 artwork boxes etc. This is because items can be large in size and our collections are not held centrally; they are held in numerous locations. We are not able to retrieve additional items during your visit.

2. When would you like to come?

  • Refer to our opening hours and ensure that you give us at least eight working days’ notice. Any forthcoming closures are also advertised on the same homepage.
  • Please note that special collections held off-site can take longer for us to provide access to. If you are travelling far, we advise that you give us as much notice as possible.

3. Email our team via library@nhm.ac.uk

  • Include the list of items, or your research area if you need advice on what we may have.
  • Let us know when you would like to visit.

4. What next?

Public visitor guides

Terms and conditions for Library and Archives members

Membership form

Related information

Museum staff

If you're new to the Museum or just need a refresher, you can book a place on one of our staff induction sessions, which take place on the first Wednesday of every month.

If you would like to visit the Library and Archives before your session the guides listed will help you to identify and access the resources you need to support your work.

We recommend that staff register with the Library and Archives to get the most out of our services. To register, email us with the following information:

  • name
  • staff pass barcode number
  • staff pass expiry date (if applicable)
  • email address
  • room number
  • supervisor/line manager
  • department and division

Staff guides

Related information

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