Visiting & using our collections

Please note that in line with advice from Public Health England about COVID-19, the Library is closed to all visitors until Monday 7th September 2020. During this time we will be running a substantially reduced Library service, as staff will largely be working from home. We will be monitoring enquiries sent to [email protected]  and endeavour to respond as quickly and comprehensively as possible whilst working remotely. As we cannot access the physical collections, we cannot offer postal loans or a photocopying service. All current loans and loans issued during this time will be issued until the Library re-opens. It is not necessary to post any book returns back to the Library.

We can still issue licences for the use of existing images, but we cannot commission new photography. Enquiries about images should be sent to [email protected]   

Fellows are reminded that they are able to access the Society’s published journals through the ‘Library’ page of the Fellow’s Area and have access to a range of online journals and e-resources through the OpenAthens platform.

How you can visit

We are always delighted to welcome new researchers to the Library & Museum to consult materials that are not available elsewhere, and to help them navigate our archives and collections.

Death & the Antiquaries by Rowlandson c.1795

We do ask that you contact us to make an appointment in advance, as we cannot guarantee that research visits at short notice or without an appointment can be accommodated.

Please tell us about your research, what you wish to see and when you would like to visit. You can search the majority of our collections online, using our catalogues.

For further information, please see our Guidelines for researchers [PDF].

When you can visit

Our Library is open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

Our Museum Room is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm (closed 1pm – 2pm).

How we can help

Engraving by Samuel Lysons and Robert Smirke 1797 of The Orpheus Mosaic at Woodchester

You can contact the Museum ([email protected]) for enquiries about:

• Museum objects
• Paintings

You can contact the Library ([email protected]) for enquiries about:

• Printed materials
• Archives
• Manuscripts
• Prints and drawings

You can request photocopies (subject to the physical condition of the book or journal and to copyright law) through the Library:

• Fill in and return the Photocopy request form [.docx] to [email protected]
• Please see Photocopy Information Form [.docx] for guidance and charges.

You can usually take photographs during your visit (without flash) for private study or reference purposes only, but please ask permission first! The Society can provide high-quality photographs for publication purposes for a fee. You can find more information about requesting images here.