The London Archives Library

The Library at The London Archives holds more than 100,000 books covering all aspects of the history and development of the Greater London area. Our library aims to help anyone interested in the metropolis or needing facts about specific legislation, buildings, events or people in London. The library is open to everyone without charge for reference only.

Only a small proportion of the library holdings are on open access in the Information Area, and you will need a History card to order other items from the collection.

How to find books in our library

• Search the library catalogue
• Check the shelves in the Information Area
• Order books at the Information Area desk if it is indicated as being in the stores

London Government

The holdings of the library are particularly strong in the history of the administration of London. There are sets of printed and indexed minutes for the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority and earlier London-wide authorities, together with a large series of publications which cover a range of subjects from timetables for workmen’s trains to GLC anti-racist housing policies. There are printed minutes and reports from many London borough councils and their predecessors, and a series of statistical returns for the whole of London from the nineteenth century onwards.

Our library also has a good collection of Acts of Parliament, including local acts and private acts relating to London, and of parliamentary papers.

Local history

In addition to extensive sections on general London history and topography, the library has a wide range of holdings covering the history of individual areas, streets and buildings in London. These include a large number of fine illustrated eighteenth and nineteenth century books.

Family history

A wide range of books covering all aspects of research into your family history are available. Street directories, registers and yearbooks can offer an insight into where ancestors lived and what they might have been doing, as well as holding holds many publications from family history societies and other organisations.

Social history

Books cover many aspects of London life, from public transport to gentlemen’s clubs. The library covers services administrated by the GLC and its predecessors, such as education and parks, and by other major London institutions like hospitals, charities and theatres.

Journals

The library holds a large range of journals and periodicals covering a multitude of subjects. It also keeps back numbers of periodicals including the 'Illustrated London News' and 'The Builder'.

The London Archives' Book Group

If you are interested in writing which supports archive research, our Book Group meets monthly to explore a range of London writing, with a remit covering fiction and non-fiction for all periods in London's history.