Heritage Collections Reading Room

The Heritage Collections Reading Room is a quiet supervised space for viewing material from the Library's heritage or special collections, as well as other material that may need handling assistance or special equipment to use (such as audiovisual formats). 

You can order heritage collections materials from a librarian, and make an appointment to view them in the Heritage Collections Reading Room. Heritage collection items will usually be available two business days after your request, subject to restrictions or item condition.  

No food or drink is permitted in the room, and only pencils can be used for taking notes. 

Contact us via the Ask a Librarian service to order heritage collections items such as manuscripts, maps, hardcopy newspapers, pictures and rare books.  

Before making a request, read our guide to visiting the Heritage Collections Reading Room. 

The Heritage Collections Reading Room is accessed via South Rotunda. 

About the Heritage Collections Reading Room 

The Heritage Collections Reading Room opened in 2003. 

Hours 

Daily 10am–6pm 

Christmas and New Year closure

The Heritage Collections Reading Room will be closed 24 December 2025 – 4 January 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Please place last orders by 4pm Friday 19 December. Orders resume on Friday 2 January, ahead of the Reading Room reopening on Monday 5 January.